UK farming minister Michael Gove has faced criticism after cancelling two meetings about the post-Brexit future of the farming industry.
In a move that has infuriated the Scottish Government, Mr Gove has found time in his busy schedule to attend the Royal Highland Show this week.
The Brexiteer was due to chair the EU transition forum – which discusses farming issues with devolved nations including Scotland – tomorrow and again in July.
A Scottish Government source said: “Michael Gove should be taking the concerns of Scotland’s agriculture sector seriously – but in cancelling these key Brexit meetings, he is treating the nation’s farming communities with contempt.
“At the same time as he has ditched these talks, he has found time to come to the Royal Highland Show instead.
“While any opportunity to hear the concerns of farmers at first-hand is welcome, Mr Gove’s actions show that he is not serious about engaging with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
The forum is where farming ministers from across the UK discuss what happens to EU funding and regulation for the industry after Brexit. It was set to meet tomorrow in London and again on Monday, July 17.
However, a Defra spokesperson responded that Mr Gove was wholly committed to working with all the devolved bodies throughout the Brexit negotiations.
They said: “These meetings were unavoidably moved. One clashed with the week of the Queen’s Speech, the other coincided with July’s EU Ag & Fish Council, an essential meeting with European counterparts which is obviously vital as EU negotiations proceed.
“This in no way diminishes the Secretary of State’s commitment to working with the devolved administrations and both meetings will be rescheduled as soon as diaries allow.”
It does, however, mean Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish ministers will be denied the chance to discuss issues and priorities with Mr Gove until August at the earliest.
The Scottish Government source added: “Brexit talks are getting underway this week, with the whole future of the agricultural sector a key part of those discussions.
“Farmers and crofters deserve to know what Brexit will mean for them in terms of future funding and regulations.
“All of these issues are now on the table, but instead of trying to agree a common UK-wide approach, Michael Gove has proved yet again that the Tories cannot be trusted to protect Scotland’s interests.”
“We need clear statements of intent from the UK Government on what sort of regime will replace C
