Union reiterates 10 'Brexit' commitments to Secretary of State for Scotland
NFU Scotland has used a meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell MP, to stress that agriculture must not be used as a bargaining chip in upcoming Brexit talks.
The union stressed the importance of providing as much "clarity and certainty" to the farming and crofting sector as preparations for the Brexit negotiations get underway.
Top of the agenda at the meeting was the UK Government’s commitment to agricultural funding up to 2020, and how its distribution will meet the requirements of Scotland’s patchwork farming industry.
As well as reiterating the ten commitments that it wishes the UK Government to take forward for agriculture following the Brexit vote, the Union also addressed Country of Origin Labelling and labour issues.
As Scotland’s voice within the UK Cabinet, the Union urged Mr Mundell to bring together all four constituent governments to drive a positive and constructive agenda.
'Agriculture must not become bargaining chip'
Allan Bowie, President of NFU Scotland commented that it is a "highly politically-charged debate".
"It is vital that agriculture does not become the bargaining chip as new trade deals are sought and our future relationship with Europe is negotiated.
"Farming and crofting is the bedrock of the UK’s food and drink industry - the biggest manufacturing sector that we have.
"Getting the future agricultural policy right affects more than just farmers and crofters.
"It will be critical if we are to maintain and grow the hundreds of thousands of jobs in food and drink manufacturing.
'Securiy for Scottish produce'
Mr Bowie said the UK Treasury’s announcement last week that current levels of Pillar 1 spending would be maintained to 2020 "has essentially delivered" one of the Union’s ’10 commitments’.
"We need government to deliver certainty on the nine remaining priorities.
"By doing this, it will provide security for the provenance of Scottish produce, send a clear message to EU citizens working in Scotland, and allow markets to work better for Scottish farmers and crofters in the future.
"While the UK Government’s intention is that devolved administrations should get the same money as would otherwise have come to them had the UK remained in the EU we need to know how the UK Government will do this.
"The Treasury has guaranteed payments for direct support (Pillar 1) such as the basic payment scheme, greening, sheep coupled and cattle coupled support up to 2020.
"But there has been no commitment for rural development (Pillar 2) funding, which includes the vital Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) and agri-environment schemes."
