Sturgeon calls for ‘feedback’ from farmers on post-brexit rural funding

Nicola Sturgeon has called on farmers to share their views on rural funding after Brexit as the deadline of a government consultation approaches.

The First Minister, who will visit the Turriff Show today, said it was important to hear directly from rural workers so plans can be made to support them after the UK leaves the EU.

The Scottish Government launched a consultation in June setting out proposals for income support for rural communities during the period after Brexit in March next year.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s farmers and rural communities receive valuable support from the EU and, in the absence of any clarity from the UK Government on future funding, the Scottish Government has published the most comprehensive Brex- it paper on farming anywhere in the UK.

“The paper proposes that in the short term support schemes for active farming, food production, environmental improvements, forestry and rural development stay largely the same. However, we are also looking at whether processes can be simplified and streamlined and what farmers think the longer term direction of travel should be.