The Scottish Beef Association (SBA) has called on farm minister Richard Lochhead to stand up for the industry in the final Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) package.
Chairman Scott Henderson has warned the farm minister runs the risk of being known as “the man who finished Scotch Beef” unless he comes up with a workable Cap solution for Scotland’s beef sector.
The plea comes following a series of meetings, described by the SBA as “frustrating”, in the run up to the announcement of the full Cap package next month.
“It was clear from our meeting with the cabinet secretary that he was still sitting on the fence and the longer the decision takes the more nervous we become,” said Mr Henderson.
“Yes Lochhead is trying to do what is best for Scottish farming as a whole but it has become increasingly apparent this round of Cap in Scotland is most definitely a damage limitation exercise for the beef sector.”
He warned all government modelling work showed a reduction in financial support for the beef sector.
“Beef producers, using the government’s own figures, are set to lose an average of 25% in Dumfries and Galloway and the North East, the two principle beef producing regions in Scotland,” added Mr Henderson.
“However there are still measures available which would be less damaging, Lochhead just needs to use them.”
He said the clock was ticking for decisions on the new Cap – the Scottish Government must have a package of measures in place to present to the European Commission for approval by August 1.
“It is crucial we get the full 8% of coupled payments for calves of 75% beef genetics along with a robust minimum activity test to exclude claimants who produce nothing,” added Mr Henderson.
The association called for a minimum stocking rate of 0.15 livestock units per hectare in the rough grazings region, plus limiting the region’s budget to no more than 10% of total Pillar 1 budget to “free up money to top up the area payments on improved ground”.
It also called for the move from an historic- to area-based payments system to be phased in, due to the scale of subsidy reductions predicted.
Mr Henderson said: “We would urge everyone with an interest in safeguarding the future of our sector to beat a path to their MSPs’ door to make them aware of the issue. It is time for us all to act.”
Mr Lochhead was unavailable for comment.