The UK Government appeared to be making up policy on the hoof at yesterday’s NFU Scotland conference.
An hour after Scottish Office Under Secretary Douglas Ross publicly insisted plans to extend a pilot seasonal agricultural workers scheme from 2,500 to 10,000 workers would not apply until 2021, the decision was overturned.
A government spokesperson said: “We have clarified with the Home Office who have now confirmed the UK Government intends to make good the manifesto commitment to increase the seasonal agriculture worker pilot to 10,000 this year.”
During a question and answer session delegates demanded assurances that food imports would have to meet the same standards as those demanded of UK farmers but his answer attracted boos and groans.
Mr Ross said: “Ultimately it’s up to the market, and if products come in I am reassured consumers will know which are the best products to purchase.
“They will be reassured produce from the UK would be of a standard unlike chlorinated chicken or hormone-produced beef.”
Union president Andrew McCornick said: “If we’re going to allow product into this country that would be illegal for us to produce it’s not acceptable. That message needs to go back to whoever is negotiating these trade deals.”