Scottish farmers and crofters are not at threat of a reduction in farm subsidy support following Brexit.
That was the message from newly appointed Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove at the opening day of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh yesterday.
When asked “Are Scottish farmers facing a reduction in subsidies due to Brexit?” Mr Gove firmly answered “no”.
He also confirmed that Scottish Government would receive increased powers over devolved matters, including farming and fisheries, following Brexit.
Both Mr Gove and Scottish Secretary David Mundell were keen to assure members of the farming industry that their input was the key to developing new agricultural and rural policies.
Addressing a reception of agricultural industry leaders Mr Gove said: “Over the course of the next weeks, months and years, I want to work as closely as possible with all of you to make sure that the policy decisions we make are right for all of us. Where bureaucracy gets in your way we will get rid of it. Our vision for Government is that we will be strong and on your side.”
He said he had engaged with NFU Scotland and asked the union to set up meetings for him at working farms over the next few months.
“I’m going to be out and about,” said Mr Gove.
“I was talking to NFU Scotland and they are going to arrange for me to meet a couple of working farmers. I want the opportunity for us all to have a drink afterwards. I want to hear it straight from each individual.”
When challenged on his previous comments about seeking a cheap food policy, Mr Gove said he was more interested in quality food, rather than cheap food.
“I don’t believe that food should be any more expensive that it needs to be,” he said.
“We need to ensure that people continue to have access to a wide range of choices.”
Mr Gove also pledged to look into the issue of convergence uplift – something promised by his predecessors but not yet delivered.
Convergence uplift is extra Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) monies totalling around £190million which were allocated to the UK from the EU to bring Scotland’s per hectare subsidy support figure more in line with the European average.
Scottish farm leaders have long disputed that the distribution of Cap monies within the UK is unfair and that Scotland was not given this money.
Mr Gove said: “Some farmers in other parts of the UK take a slightly different view. I’m looking at it now and I understand why people have concerns. I can try to ensure in future that funding is allocated in as transparent a way as possible.”