Read the latest column by Patrick Krause

Small is Beautiful. The economist Dr E.F. Schumacher published a book by this title in the early 1970s with the subtitle “A study of economics as if people mattered”.

It was one of those transformational books in my teens that led me through several areas of work, where the principles he advocated were very relevant to crofting. His ideas are as relevant today as then and perhaps in need now more than ever.

Alistair Carmichael MP wrote a very interesting article in The Press and Journal during the week, advocating the need for a grassrootsbased approach to development in the Highlands and islands and a stand-alone development body.

This approach to community and economic development reminded me of Schumacher’s thoughts, and it would not be too far off the mark to say that the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the early incarnation of Highland and Islands Enterprise (HIE) followed this approach.

Alistair reminded us of the attempt by central government to merge HIE with Scottish Enterprise and the strong rejection of this by supporters of the principle that development works best when devolved and is community-led. He went on to propose that HIE needs to return to this principle.

Last week the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell MSP, had to write to Michael Gove MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, outlining grave concerns regarding Mr Gove’s intention to enshrine in law the concept of a “UK internal market”, which would in effect take away some of Scotland’s devolved powers.

The gist of it is for an unelected body to be formed that would scrutinise legislation put before the Scottish Parliament and could halt it if it deemed the legislation would impact on the “UK internal market”. This has potential for dire consequences in all fields but our concern is food.

I think the UK Government has made it clear, by not taking forward an amendment to the Agriculture Bill, that it is prepared to lower food standards should trade negotiations require it.

The UK has been a leader in developing high standards in food quality and traceability, environment and animal welfare – standards that Scotland as a devolved nation has exemplified.

As the end of the transition to being fully out of the EU approaches, our high standards are something that we can trade on, both globally and within the UK market. If, however this “police” body deems Scottish high standards not compliant with lower standards adopted by the UK Government, we could see our food, environment and animal welfare standards having to fall.

I would rather Scotland maintains its devolved powers to enhance standards, to keep what we want to feel proud of for ourselves and that we can sell on and attract visitors for.

The UK Government has – many would say recklessly – declined the opportunity to extend the transition period and we now face leaving the EU with no deal or deals struck in desperation, which is not a negotiating position that inspires confidence.

The pandemic has left our economy in a very fragile state to cope with a new trading regime foisted upon us by a centralised government.

RURAL ECONOMY: Principles of ‘Small is Beautiful’ appear very relevant to crofting