Union raises Brexit concerns

The unique requirements of the Scottish agricultural industry have been pressed home to the UK Government by Scottish farming union leaders, writes Nancy Nicolson.

With a general election just weeks away, Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom MP, Defra Minister George Eustice and Scottish Secretary David Mundell were told by a union delegation to Westminster that securing the right Brexit deal for Scottish farmers remained top of the agenda.

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said all parties would find their records on delivering for Scottish agriculture and the food and drink sectors under scrutiny.

He added: “We continue to press on the UK Government the importance of committing to longer-term funding and its fair allocation across the UK.

“That will be key to winning the confidence of Scottish farmers and crofters, and a clear indication that their needs are being heard in the Brexit negotiations.

“We are looking to both Westminster and Holyrood to restore confidence and certainty to all Scotland’s farmers and crofters through agreeing a necessary and meaningful transition.

“The discussion with ministers at Westminster today gave us the opportunity to reiterate our position that any successor policy should be funded on a UK-wide common financial framework, but with policy development and delivery kept within the mainstay of the devolved administrations,” added Mr McCornick.

“It is concerning that, nearly one month into the two-year Article 50 process, Scottish farmers and crofters still remain in the dark about how a future agricultural policy will be both delivered and funded in three short years’ time.