Scottish landowners have warned that England is stealing a march on Scotland in developing post-Brexit agricultural policy.
Speaking after submitting a response to Defra’s consultation on the future for food, farming and the environment, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) chairman, David Johnstone said there was now a risk that Scotland will be left with less room to shape its priorities.
“It is clear from Defra’s consultation that they are further ahead with developing future agricultural policy than we are in Scotland and that leads to a risk whereby the choices now starting to be made south of the border could leave Scotland with less room to move in shaping its own priorities moving forward,” he said.
“Whilst SLE has recognised the direction of travel, with support being provided in return for public goods, we cannot have a situation that is implemented in England without due consideration to supporting farming on poorer quality land in remote regions of Scotland. There are distinctive land management systems in Scotland so any decision taken must satisfy the nature of farming in all parts of the UK.”
He added that farming ministers across the UK should ensure that potential differences in application of agricultural policy should not adversely impact on internal trade.