Scottish countryside group joins clamour against ‘cliff-edge’ deal

A countryside organisation has called on the UK Government to avoid a “cliffedge” Brexit to safeguard the “unique interests of Scottish agriculture”.

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents landowners and rural businesses, has joined 13 other farming organisations in issuing a joint statement to the UK Government.

The statement urges the Government to secure an agreement on an initial transition period enabling the UK to retain “unfettered access to European markets” and stay in the customs union. It also calls for a fully functioning immigration system to be put in place before freedom of movement ends to ensure farmers can access workers.

The organisations say they are committed to working with the UK Government and devolved administrations to “establish a new and better agriculture and land use policy” once the UK leaves the common agriculture policy, and ask the administrations to work with them to establish a “collaborative policy framework and budget”.

The statement recognises “opportunities” from Brexit but urges ministers to provide greater certainty for farmers as the exit date draws nearer.

David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “It is vital that the unique interests of Scottish agriculture are taken account of during Brexit negotiations and we would urge the UK Government and the devolved administrations to work together to deliver a new farming landscape that delivers for all.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Leaving the EU provides us with a golden opportunity to set up new frameworks for supporting our farmers to grow more, sell more and export more great British food.”