Crofting federation meets MPs to discuss Brexit
THE SCOTTISH Crofting Federation (SCF) has met with two Highland MPs to convey suggestions for a post-Brexit Scotland producing high-quality food for export.
With Brexit again dominating the headlines and the outcome no clearer, Russell Smith, chairman of the Scottish Crofting Federation, met with Skye MP Ian Blackford and Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, to put forward the SCF’s views on the way forward.
Mr Smith commented: ‘The key points are to maintain tariff-free access to the EU market for Scotland’s very high quality lamb and beef; then, assuming we are to continue to provide these goods at less than cost-price, production support for crofters in the Highlands and Islands will need to be maintained so that crofting remains economically viable.’
Mr Smith continued: ‘We need the support systems that replace the CAP to be designed with crofting in mind from the outset.
‘Too often crofting, especially common grazings, are an afterthought to a system that has already been established.
‘I met with Highland MPs Ian Blackford and Jamie Stone to get this across and to ask for their help to get the message to Westminster.
‘Both have agreed to pass on the SCF post-Brexit ideas to Michael Gove Secretary of State for the Environment.’