The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Ewing not satisfied with Gove’s funding assurance
Rural Secretary has also pledged to continue fight for convergence money
Environment secretary Michael Gove yesterday told representatives of the devolved administrations that all EU rural funding for forestry, fishing, farming and the environment would continue until 2022.
However promises given at a meeting in London between Mr Gove and his counterparts in the devolved governments were not enough to satisfy Scotland’s rural secretary Fergus Ewing who said he would be writing to Mr Gove for further assurances.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Ewing said it was vital Scotland’s rural interests were protected in Brexit negotiations.
“Uncertainty over long-term funding for the rural economy threatens to have a devastating impact on our farming, food and marine sectors, and it is totally unacceptable that the UK Government has still to give the required assurances,” he added.
“As such, I intend to write to Mr Gove to seek clear and comprehensive assurances on the commitments he gave today over guarantees on all EU rural funding – which includes forestry, fishing, farming and environment – until the end of the UK parliamentary term in 2022.
“If this is the case, this is a welcome development, but one, as we have been pressing for over a year, that should have been made much earlier.”
The meeting also focused on the return of around £160 million of convergence money to Scotland.
This money was allocated to the UK from the EU to bring Scotland’s per hectare subsidy support figure more in line with the European average, and despite recent reports suggesting Mr Gove would not be prepared to reopen the debate, Mr Ewing said the Defra secretary had committed to further discussions.
He added: “Scottish farmers will not welcome more delaying tactics from the UK Government as this money is long overdue and should have been returned to Scotland a long time ago, and I will continue to work for that outcome.”