The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Holyrood urged to strip away gold plating
The Scottish Government has been urged to press ahead with proposed changes to greening rules which would strip out so-called gold-plating standards and put the industry on a more even footing with growers south of the border.
The Brexit vote will lead to different arrangements in future but in the expectation that existing arrangements for direct support through the CAP will remain in place at least until 2020, NFU Scotland (NFUS) has told rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing that he needs to make changes to the demanding rules.
At a meeting with Mr Ewing on Balbeggie farm near Perth, NFU Scotland crops committee chairman Ian Sands detailed the union’s demands.
These include the growing of Nitrogen Fixing Crops (NFC) to meet greening requirements, the use of conversion factors when calculating Ecological Focus Areas (EFA), grazing on buffer strips; management of fallow land and a greater choice of EFA options including forestry and hedges.
Mr Sands also pointed out that many Scottish farms experienced flooding and damage to drains last winter but growers were precluded from doing drainage works at a logical time because of the current interpretation of the rules in Scotland.
“That, again, isn’t the case in England,” he said.
“Scotland also needs a broader range of EFA options and Europe has indicated it will accept changes to Scotland’s current list.
“That opens the door to further options, which have real environmental benefit, being made available from 2017.
“In particular, we believe that hedges and forestry should be added.
“Given the uncertainty that lies ahead, Scotland’s growers deserve to get the best deal from greening measures and we hope that this visit will encourage the Cabinet secretary to make the most of this opportunity to strip out Scottish Government’s own gold-plating.
“That would make the years ahead where we continue to operate within the CAP more manageable and efficient for our farmers while still delivering meaningful environmental benefits.”