Champions deliver final Brexit report
New policies and mindsets are required to address the challenges facing agriculture due to Brexit, the ‘Agriculture Champions’ have warned.
The four Agriculture Champions were appointed last year with a remit to advise on the development of a new strategy for the sector. In their final report, the champions call for a twostage, long-term vision based on what the public wants and values in Scottish farming.
In stage one, policies would not be changed radically, but an emphasis placed on encouraging industry and businesses to become more entrepreneurial, with farm funding maintained at current levels.
In stage two, an element of basic income support would continue, but at a lower rate, with the majority of funding allocated to schemes that boost productivity and enhance natural capital – tailored to regional or sectoral needs and capped per farm.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: ‘Scottish farming is about to enter the biggest period of upheaval in a generation due to Brexit, which will require government, industry and businesses to adapt and change so that our farming remains vibrant, resilient and profitable.
‘I endorse the findings that support based on activity and production should be retained to an extent, but there should be a major new focus on increasing productivity.
‘To support this, we need to better link research and development with on-farm practice, encouraging businesses to collaborate, become more entrepreneurial and do more to attract people to the sector.’
NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said: ‘The report’s recommendation to continue, but reduce, direct support over a managed transition while increasing emphasis on productivity gains and delivering environmental benefits mirrors the union’s thinking of shifting from area-based support to action-based support. That would recognise and reward those who want to do more.
‘The report’s emphasis on using a transition period of three to five years again resonates with how the union would like to see managed rather than chaotic or cliffedge change. Transition must also be used to get the structures and delivery of a new policy right first time.’
Jonny Hughes, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, added: ‘We welcome many of the recommendations of this report, in particular the emphasis of improving natural capital stocks, breaking down traditional silos, stewardship as a key part of future policy and an emphasis on improving soil health.
‘However, we are not persuaded by the case for long-term income support payments beyond the Brexit transition period, which remain unlinked to the provision of public benefits such as water quality and biodiversity.’
The Agriculture Champions are Henry Graham, Scottish chair of Lantra; Archie Gibson, chair of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation; John Kinnaird, farmer and former president of NFUS; and Marion MacCormick, buying director for Aldi.