Ewing ‘can wait no longer’ to launch consultation
A transition period of approximately five years running through to 2024 looks set to be on the cards for Scottish farmers following Brexit.
And this is likely to consist of a two-year period of minimal changes to current funding and support arrangements, followed by a further period in which there will be a degree of simplification in existing schemes – coupled with trial runs of new policy strategies.
Launching the Scottish Government’s consultation on the future of farm policy measures – Stability and Simplicity – in Holyrood yesterday, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said that Scotland had not voted to leave the EU nor did it want to leave the single market or the customs union.
“Scotland didn’t choose to be in this situation,” he said. “Our departure from the EU and its bewildering set of uncertainties have been thrust upon us.”
However he added that, despite the lack of clarity on both policy and funding coming from the UK government, with the clock ticking it was clear that “no change was not an option” and the time was right to plan ahead.
“Let me be clear, ideally I would wish to have these uncertainties removed before consulting on the options for future policy,” Ewing told the Scottish Parliament.
“I simply cannot wait any longer for the UK government to provide clarity, particularly as a ‘no deal’ scenario remains a worrying, and to some, a preferred option.
“I believe our rural businesses and communities deserve a semblance of security and this consultation sets out options to try and achieve this.”
He said that the consultation – which runs until September and seeks views on how to reduce the administrative burden in the payments system and process, including inspections, mapping and scheme rules – was the most detailed plan on farm policy which had been produced in the UK.
The document makes it plain that an upper cap on individual payments is likely to be introduced – in order to release funds to test new policy priorities – and views are to be sought on what level this should be set.
And while measures to protect payments in the less favoured areas are up for investigation, a change in overall ethos away from a strict compliance approach towards delivery of outcome was also highlighted in the consultation.