Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead is set for key talks in Brussels with Commissioner Dacian Ciolos and DEFRA Secretary of State Caroline Spelman today (Monday).
Date:
Mon, 14 Nov 2011
Source:
Scottish Government
Scottish Government:
Website
In a meeting ahead of the AgriFish Council, Mr Lochhead will press Scottish priorities for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the crucial importance of rural development funding to Scotland.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Mr Lochhead said: "The primary purpose of CAP must always be to support food production and the £500 million annual support it delivers for Scotland is vital to ensure we can continue to be a food producing nation.
"It is absolutely critical to Scotland's farmers and crofters that the CAP reforms deliver them a fair deal, which is needed to ensure they can compete with non-EU countries who don't reach our high standards.
"The meeting gives us a great opportunity to put Scotland's key asks to the Commissioner. I am keen to discuss with the Commissioner the proposals on future payments and on greening - additional support for farmers who are committed to good environmental practice - ahead of the important policy debates in the council later in the day.
"These two issues are of real importance to Scotland and they are central planks of the commission's proposals, which will be focused on in the council debate.
"As far as rural development funding is concerned, Scotland needs a fairer share and it is essential there is no hiatus between this funding coming online, as that would be extremely damaging to agriculture and rural communities.
"This was the case four years ago, therefore I will be pressing the Commissioner for assurances that contingency measures are in place in the event that the timetable for these reforms slip. It cannot be allowed to happen again."
More news for Scottish farmers.