‘Election campaign becomes bidding war on tree planting’
The election campaign has turned into a bidding war between the parties on spending, carbon zero targets and, perhaps most surprisingly, tree planting.
George Lyon
‘Agricultural trade between UK and Ireland centre stage in Brexit talks’
In 32 days time Boris Johnson has promised we will leave the EU – do or die.
‘Farmers face huge question marks at sales as Brexit looms’
One month into Boris Johnson’s reign and the game of chicken he is playing with the EU and Ireland over his demand the Irish backstop be dumped is in full swing.
‘Impact of net zero ambitions unknown to farmers’
Scottish farmers attending the Royal Highland Show hoping to learn what future support might look like or how farming would be affected by the zero carbon by 2045 pledge would be sorely disappointed.
‘Net zero ambitions a death sentence on livestock industry’
It seems hardly a week goes by without agriculture, and especially modern livestock farming, being attacked in the media for causing climate change, biodiversity loss and destroying the environment.
‘General election needed to break Brexit impasse’
The Eagles hit song Hotel California has a great line in it that sums up Brexit: “You can check out any time you like but you can never leave.”
‘Benign weather in farming and politics’
What a great spell of weather we have enjoyed.Out wintered stock are in good condition with plenty of grass in front of them and crops are looking well.
LFA support cuts will hurt farmers
What is the Scottish Government playing at with its planned budget cuts to Less Favoured Areas (LFA) support for Scottish farmers?
‘Holding on to lambs in the hope of a Brexit deal’
Last week a sheep farmer rang me worried that the sheep market might collapse next spring if there was no deal on Brexit.
‘Capping of farm subsidy payments in inevitable’
At the beginning of May the European Commission announced their new budget for 2020-2027 and it is clear that EU farmers will pay the price for the financial black hole left by Brexit.
‘NFU Scotland deserves pat on back for post-Brexit vision’
Andrew McCornick and his NFU Scotland (NFUS) team deserve a big pat on the back for providing leadership on a new Scottish agricultural policy post-Brexit. Their Steps to Change document has, if nothing else, kicked off a real debate on the future of farm support in Scotland.
George Lyon: Scottish Government must come clean on plans for farm policy
Scottish farmers will be glad to see the back of 2017 as it will go down in history as one of the wettest years since 1985.
George Lyon: Future agriculture policy to focus more on environment
After a year of deafening silence from farming ministers across the UK, new Defra minister, Michael Gove, barely six weeks into the job, unveiled his vision for a British Agriculture Policy.
George Lyon: UK farmers are not alone as subsidies set to reduce across Europe
Last week I was in Brussels and the reaction to the outcome of the UK election was firstly amusement but also one of confusion and real concern at the mess we had got ourselves into.
George Lyon: Farmers must prepare for less support and more competition post-Brexit
Six weeks of ferocious electioneering, politicians promising extra spending on health, education and policing and now we have a hung Parliament.
Opinion: Common Agricultural Policy likely to remain for three more years
The Brexit bombshell has left Brussels reeling as I discovered this week.
Leading farmers join forces to speak out for Remain
Some of the leading voices in Scottish farming have today joined forces to speak out in favour of the UK's continued membership of the European Union.
Former Scots MEP says farming would face a ‘financial blackhole’ in the event of a Brexit
Cutting ties with Europe would leave Scotland's farmers facing a financial black hole as trade and subsidies would be put at risk, former MEP George Lyon has said.
Lochhead accuses UK Government of failing Scots farmers and fishermen
The UK Government has consistently failed Scottish farmers and fishermen during European Union negotiations, according to rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead.
‘Stop subsidising every dodgy olive farmer in Sicily’ says UKIP MEP
The European Commission must stop subsidising "every dodgy olive farmer in Sicily", according to the new Scottish UKIP MEP David Coburn.
Lib Dems say Euro elections a chance to send Highland message to Scottish Government
A senior Liberal Democrat has claimed the European elections are a chance to send a message to the Scottish Government to stop "ignoring" the Highlands.