SNP accused of 'dereliction of duty' over post-Brexit farm payments

The SNP government has been accused of a “dereliction of duty” after it emerged that no planning has been carried out into a post-Brexit farm payment system for Scotland.

Scottish Ministers have insisted that all powers over agriculture must return to Scotland after the UK leaves the EU.

Defra Secretary Michael Gove explained during a visit to Scotland at the weekend that farm payments will continue at the current level until the end of this parliament in 2022, and has said it will be for Holyrood to decide how that money will be spent north of the border.

However, a Scottish Government response issued following a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Conservatives has confirmed that no modelling has been carried out.

Shadow Rural Economy and Connectivity Secretary Peter Chapman asked in the chamber and during committee sessions what plans are being made for a post-Brexit payment system in Scotland.

'Dereliction of duty'

Mr Chapman, a north east region MSP, said the Scottish Conservatives have asked "time and again" what the SNP plan is for a post-Brexit farm payment system.

“We have heard nothing from the Cabinet Secretary. I am absolutely astonished that it is now clear that no such plan exists, because the government has not done any modelling,” Mr Chapman explained.

“Given the vociferous demands from Scottish Ministers for full control over agriculture, our farmers need to know how any future payment system for Scotland will work.

“It is time for the SNP to put their cards on the table. This failure to plan ahead is a dereliction of duty to farmers across the country.”

'Fairer'

Edward Mountain MSP, Scottish Conservative chair of the Rural Economy Committee, said the UK leaves the EU in March next year and the farming industry needs some certainty on the subsidy model.

“The Scottish Conservatives have made clear that Brexit offers an opportunity to create a new system that is fairer and better suited to Scotland’s farmers,” he said.

“We have great strength and depth in the Scottish Conservative team here at Holyrood. We understand agriculture, unfortunately it seems that Fergus Ewing does not.”

'Hypocrisy'

A spokesperson for Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing accused the Conservatives of "astonishing hypocrisy".

He said: “They should cut out the chaos and infighting and instead give Scotland’s farmers and crofters the total clarity they need and deserve.”

Mr Ewing has also described Brexit as the "greatest threat" to Scottish agriculture.

He said that leaving the European Union presents Scottish farming with an "unprecedented challenge."