Political point-scoring ‘a threat to Scots farming’

BREXIT: SLE calls on UK and Scottish governments to work together on EU Withdrawal Bill

The Westminster and Holyrood governments have been accused of undermining the long-term future of Scottish farming by engaging in political point-scoring over Brexit.

The landowners organisation, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), has called for urgent action by both the UK and Scottish governments following a meeting with Scottish Secretary David Mundell.

SLE’s concern centres on the Withdrawal Bill where instead of powers that reside in Brussels coming back to Scotland, the UK Government is going to take the powers pending discussions about possible common policy frameworks within the UK.

SLE chairman Lord David Johnstone said the lack of trust between the governments was a problem that needed to be overcome.

“Both governments have a point,” he said.

“The UK Government is taking a pragmatic approach in trying to provide a short-term mechanism for dealing with Brexit.

“However, the Scottish Government also has very legitimate concern that the UK Government is taking back control in devolved areas and Edinburgh is right to be fighting for Scottish interests.

“There is likely to be merit in developing a UK-wide policy framework for agriculture and rural development, in the same way that we work cross-border in other areas, such as plant health.

“However, any future policy needs to be developed jointly and cannot be imposed by Westminster.

“Any UK-wide framework must also respect devolution and allow Scotland the ability to shape its own policy and support regimes.”

Lord Johnstone said more concrete proposals were needed.

He added: “They would allow all interests to move on to discuss the merits of particular approaches towards creating the best arrangements for Scottish agriculture.”

The Scottish landowners organisation says future policy post-Brexit must be developed jointly between the Scottish and UK governments.