The Scots farming industry is at loggerheads about the future of the new Common Agricultural Policy (Cap).
As farm minister Richard Lochhead and his team prepare to announce the details of the Cap reform package on Wednesday next week, fierce last-minute lobbying reveals mixed opinions within the sector.
Earlier this week, NFU Scotland threatened to withdraw its support for the minister if he failed to deliver the right outcomes under the new Cap.
In a hard-hitting warning to Mr Lochhead, NFUS chief executive said: “He knows what he has got to do to have our support.”
The union has called for a three-region model under the new system through a splitting of the rough grazing area, and a transition in the switch from historic to area-based payments.
It said new entrants and those who currently receive no support should be given area-based payments from day one of the new regime.
Showing it means business, it also launched an online petition calling for a transition this week.
While, a delegation from the north-east region descended on Holyrood on Thursday to lobby MSPs to write to Mr Lochhead and push for a transition.
This followed a meeting between north-east farmers and Mr Lochhead over a week ago when he suggested he may opt for an immediate switch to area payments – it is believed more than 50% of respondents to the Pillar 1 Cap consultation voted in favour of this move.
The Press and Journal has learnt that many farmers believe the union is not representing the views of all of its members, with many calling for an immediate switch to area-based payments.
New entrant John Fyall, a sheep farmer and agricultural consultant of Sittyton, Newmachar, slammed the union’s last-minute demands for a transitional period.
“The Scottish Government did a consultation and all 13,000 NFU Scotland members had the chance to respond. I think we should accept what the minister says on Wednesday,” said Mr Fyall.
Willie and Hilary Birnie, who farm at Guisachan by Beauly, said they will be forced to reduce stock numbers by at least 20% unless there is an immediate move to area-based payments.
Willie said: “All we are asking for is a level playing field with the guys who have had the subsidies. I have kept on a full-time job to subsidise the capital invested on the farm that Hilary took on.”
Meanwhile, a leading figure in the Scottish farming world has warned about the potential for delayed payments to farmers and financial penalties on Scotland if the government opts for a third payment region.
This is a stark contradiction to NFU Scotland’s demands on government.
Brian Pack – former ANM Group chief executive and the man leading the government’s review of red tape in agriculture – said: “I strongly believe that an ill-defined rough grazing region will have a high potential to generate undesired outcomes.”
He said the “best solution for active farmers and government” was a two-region model with a robust stocking density as a measure of activity, as well as coupled payments for both cattle and sheep.
“Although, we must acknowledge the difficulties the government, and farmers, will have in implementing, administering and auditing any sheep scheme,” added Mr Pack.