Farmer and crofter profitability must be the key focus during Brexit negotiations surrounding agriculture, claims NFU Scotland’s (NFUS) top policy man.
The union’s director of policy Jonnie Hall, who is currently on secondment to the Scottish Government’s agricultural team for two days per week, made the comments after giving evidence to a Holyrood committee.
The rural economy and connectivity committee took evidence yesterday from a number of industry bodies on the implications of Brexit for agriculture and forestry in Scotland.
Mr Hall said the triggering of Article 50 would start the ending of more than 40 years’ of agricultural policy and free trade.
“In the nine months since the EU referendum outcome, NFUS has built a positive case that will allow Scotland’s farmers and crofters to be supported outside of the EU – via continued free trade with the EU; new, ambitious international trade deals; access to a non-UK labour pool and a well-funded, refreshed agricultural policy that is fit for the needs of Scotland’s unique landscape and farming practices,” said Mr Hall.
“However, substance and detail on what measures will be prioritised for the agricultural industry have been frustratingly sparse. NFU Scotland will continued to press the importance of ensuring the Brexit deal works for Scottish farmers and crofters.”
The union had been due to meet three senior UK Government ministers – Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom, Scottish Secretary David Mundell, and Minister of State for exiting the EU David Jones – however the meeting was cancelled following the terror attacks at Westminster.
Speaking from London, NFUS president Andrew McCornick said: “It is a sad and worrying incident and thoughts must be with the victims of this attack, and their families.
“Debate on Brexit can wait for another day. We hope that all three ministers will find diary space in the days ahead to sit down and give serious consideration to what Scotland’s farmers and crofters want from the Brexit negotiations.”
