NFU Scotland calls for UK-wide agricultural policy

NFU Scotland has called for any replacement to the CAP post Brexit to be underpinned by a UK-wide framework to avoid creating trade barriers.

In an evidence session of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee at Holyrood on Wednesday (22 March), NFU Scotland’s director of policy Jonnie Hall warned MSPs against creating a policy for Scotland “that is so perpendicular from the rest of the UK or Europe that it thwarts our efforts to then trade”.

But Mr Hall also stressed: “Creating a Defra-centric one-size fits all; that would not be in the interest of Scottish agriculture, I think you’ll find similar views held by Wales and Northern Ireland.”

See also: Hard Brexit ‘incredibly damaging’ to Welsh agriculture

Mr Hall said: “What we want to see happen is a devolution settlement, which gives Scottish ministers the discretion to set a policy that is appropriate for Scotland’s needs.”

Contrasting views

He added ensuring each sector within the diverse profile of Scottish agriculture has the opportunity to move forward will be extremely difficult.

But he said that the devolution of agricultural responsibility in 1998 has “by and large worked very, very well in Scotland’s interests”.

NFU Scotland’s view is in contrast to those expressed by Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has called for total autonomy in setting agriculture policy post Brexit.

However, NFU Scotland’s call was echoed by Scotland’s Rural College and Scottish Land and Estates, which were also giving evidence in the hearing.

Andrew Midgley, projects and research manager, Scottish Land and Estates said under an “overarching envelope” which Scottish ministers could tailor “we wouldn’t see a huge amount of difference to now”.

But he said ensuring Scottish ministers are involved in shaping the policy is “an absolute requirement”, although added there is likely to be more agreement in deciding the overarching policy than might be expected.

Market distortion

Following the committee session at Holyrood, Scottish Conservative MSP Peter Chapman, shadow secretary for the committee, backed the call saying the idea of completely divergent agricultural policies “makes no sense at all”.

Mr Chapman said: “We have heard a lot since the EU referendum in June about the powers in devolved areas.

“The UK government has been clear that the Scottish parliament will not lose any powers that are currently devolved, and that there may be more powers that come back after Brexit.

“Of course, there has to be flexibility within [a UK policy] for the devolved areas of the UK.

“However, we have to remember here in Scotland that the rest of the UK is our biggest market.

Farmers Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts also called last week for the repatriation of powers from Brussels to the Welsh government “ideally” within a new UK framework.