Sturgeon’s speech analysed for clues to the post-brexit world

Just over a month on from the EU referendum which has created one of the greatest political upheavals in recent UK history, farming pundits, industry experts and commentators have struggled to see even straws in the wind as to how the future of Scottish agriculture will shape up post-brexit.

So the speech made earlier this week by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was pounced upon greedily for clues as to political thinking on the issue within the Scottish Government.

Attempting to read some of the runes, NFU chief executive Scott Walker yesterday welcomed Sturgeon’s stated intention of safeguarding “free movement of labour, access to a single market of 500 million people and the funding that our farmers depend on”.

Stating that these points were in line with the union’s thinking, Walker said there wasn’t a single fruit, vegetable or potato farm in Scotland which could operate without access to overseas workers.

However, with immigration lying at the heart of the Brexit vote, Walker said it was crucial that the UK government also appreciated the importance of access to labour.

Gaining the best market access from Scottish food and farm products was also crucial.

He said that, ultimately it was the new Department for Exiting the European Union which would be responsible for overseeing negotiations about leaving and establishing the future relationship between the UK and EU.

In Scotland the first minster had also set up a “standing council” of experts to provide advice following the Brexit vote.

“We must make sure that this new department and the new standing council understand the needs of Scottish farmers and crofters,” said Walker.