Defra Secretary Michael Gove has been asked to review the subsidy allocation worth hundreds of millions of pounds to UK farmers, with one MP saying Scottish farmers should receive it all.
Alister Jack, Tory MP for Dumfries and Galloway, has written to Mr Gove asking him to review the "convergence uplift" and assess how the UK government can ensure Scottish farmers receive a fair settlement.
Mr Gove is expected to form an independent group tasked at looking how the convergence uplift funding is split between the four home nations.
The UK qualified for additional funds for farmers from the EU back in 2013 as a "gesture of goodwill", because of the low area payments made to Scottish farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
But in 2013, Westminster decided to distribute the funds throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, rather than solely target it in Scotland.
In his letter, Mr Jack wrote: “There have long been concerns that Scottish farmers have not seen the benefit of funding which is due to Scotland’s particular needs.
“On this vital issue, we have not seen any constructive suggestions from the Scottish Government, only grandstanding. While it may have boosted SNP morale, it has not resulted in a single Scottish farmer receiving a penny more in support. Put simply, the Scottish Government’s approach has not worked.
“Instead, we as Scottish Conservative MPs want to work with you on finding a solution.
“I recognise that there is always uncertainty during times of significant change, as the Brexit process undoubtedly is, but the UK government’s commitment to guarantee the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament in 2022 has provided much needed reassurance.
“On the convergence uplift, I believe the constructive approach that I have recommended to Michael Gove will add credibility to future funding allocations between the UK nations and deliver a fairer outcome for Scotland.”
'Rightly belongs'
According to The Telegraph, senior insiders said Mr Gove is “extremely likely” to agree to the review after being lobbied by Mr Jack.
A peer will be approached to head the a group which will consider how the funds should be distributed after Brexit. The current system will remain in place until then.
Scotland's Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing Ewing has previously said the money "rightly belongs" to Scottish farmers, and described it as the "great rural robbery".
He said: “Without the Scottish rate, there would have been no extra money for the UK. For example, had the full allocation been delivered to Scotland, instead of being shared across the UK on a historic basis, our hill farmers could have an extra £14,000 over the six year payment period, a significant amount for farmers, although of course the actual amount would depend on the scale of the business.
“There is currently no level playing field north and south of the border. Farmers doing the same job in different parts of the UK do not presently receive comparable levels of payments for their hard work. This money rightly belongs to Scottish farmers and should be returned to them immediately.”
