‘Defra-centric’ policies not acceptable

The future UK Government will only deliver a “good deal” to Scotland’s farmers if it centres its efforts around trade, policy and migrant labour.

Launching its manifesto ahead of the ‘Brexit Election’ on June 8, NFU Scotland has anchored three cornerstones for the agricultural and food and drink industries upon which it wants future negotiations to be built.

“The current government is on record stating that a ‘good deal will be one that works for all parts of the UK’ and we will want to hold the government formed after June 8 to that commitment,” said NFUS president Andrew McCornick following the union’s manifesto launch.

This “good deal”, he said, includes a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement, a red-drawn agricultural policy coupled to a ring-fenced budget and a sensible approach to controlled immigration; and fundamentally only success in these prioritised areas will satisfy Scotland’s farmers.

“The vote to leave the European Union has thrown the interests of the Scottish agriculture and food and drinks industries into sharp focus,” Mr McCornick said.

“NFU Scotland is under no illusion about the challenges presented by the negotiations to leave the EU, undoing more than 40 years of the Common Agricultural Policy in the process.”

But, according to the president, Brexit will certainly present new opportunities and the forward-focused union now wants to “grasp” these with both hands.

It also wants to halt Scotland’s stark farm income figures that have fallen back by a ‘devastating’ 75% over the last five years.

“Agriculture can thrive across the UK if the opportunity is taken to develop new policies that break away from the shackles of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and are fit for the unique circumstances of the four parts of the UK,” states the manifesto.

Recognising the vulnerability of Scottish farms to fluctuations and shocks, which threaten profitability and ability to invest in the sector, the union said it wants to see a new agricultural policy that is more simple, flexible, and encourages positive change.

“Any approach that drops a ‘Defracentric’, one-size-fits-all policy on to the devolved nations would not be acceptable,” NFUS said.

“What is also greatly important is maintaining the integrity of intra-UK agricultural and food trade.”

In Scotland alone, farming generates an annual turnover of £3 billion and is the driving force behind a food and drink sector turning over more than £14bn.

The raw materials produced by the 65,000 people employed in Scottish farming are fundamental to a further 75,000 businesses and 360,000 jobs in the food and drink industry.

Yet some 80% of Scottish agricultural produce goes to the rest of the UK and NFUS stressed this “cannot be undermined”.

“It is clear that agriculture is vital to Scotland and the UK’s future,” said NFUS.

“Consultation, consensus and agreement must therefore be front and foremost of discussion on a future agricultural policy, to ensure that the different needs of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are met,” it said.

Trade, policy and migrant labour have all been prioritised by NFU Scotland’s ‘Brexit Election’ manifesto.