Union reveals its vision of the future
WHILE the vast majority of Scotland’s farmers believe that devolution has been good for both the country and their industry – and that further powers are to be welcomed – NFU Scotland members would prefer to see a slower, more considered approach to new measures rather than a “hard and fast transfer of power carried out in haste”.
Following the independence referendum result, Lord Smith of Kelvin is chairing a commission to oversee the devolution of further powers to Scotland – and yesterday saw the union lodge its formal submission.
And although in the run-up to the referendum support was believed to be high for remaining part of the UK within the industry, the submission revealed that there was a widespread recognition of the opportunities to be gained from further devolution – tempered by a desire to assess the impact of any changes and to take the longer-term view.
Following what was termed a “wide-ranging, yet fast-paced, consultation with members” over the past three weeks, NFUS parliamentary officer Clair Slipper said that the union anticipated that the discussion on Scotland’s future would contin- ue far beyond the scope of the Smith Commission – into the 2015 general election and 2016 Scottish parliamentary election campaugns.
“It is accepted that the Smith Commission cannot deliver complete reform prior to the next Westminster election: therefore NFUS’s approach has been to base discussions within a wider vision for Scotland’s future constitutional arrangements,” said Slipper.
She said that, while the union’s membership believed that devolution was an evolving process, there had been a recognition that aspirations would only be met if a timetable with key targets was clearly agreed upon and adhered to.
And in view of the conflict during the recent reform of the common agricultural policy, there was a strong desire to see more transparency in UK policy development and representation at EU and international level, a move highlighted union president Nigel Miller.
“It has been an incredible year, and it has got a lot of people involved in a level of politics that I’ve not seen before in my lifetime,” he said. “It needs to be recognised that we are in a period of change, and there is a real appreciation amongst members that devolution and in particular new powers could be good for Scottish farming in the future”
He said that one issue consistently raised in discussion on devolution was the need for a transparent approach to decision making and representation of UK policy, especially during EU negotiations.
“Some sort of forum or ministerial committee would ensure that the negotiating stance of the Scottish industry was fully taken into account before ministers went to Europe – and would address the previous unclear line of command,” said Miller.
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