Owen Paterson is no longer UK Environment Secretary
Scots food and drink producers could miss out on countless export opportunities if Scotland becomes an independent country, according to UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.
“We have a huge diplomatic network in the UK and Scotland has all the advantages at the UK level. It’s a helluva risk to throw that advantage away,” said Mr Paterson at the Royal Highland Show.
He failed to confirm whether or not the UK Government will set a date for a mid-term review of Cap budgets in 2016 but said once the new regime is implemented, if changes are needed “let’s do it”.
He also invited farm minister Richard Lochhead to visit the Rural Payments Agency south of the border for advice on implementing the move from historic to area-based payments.
“We (England) made a mess of it – it cost us £600million in disallowances,” said Mr Paterson. “I would love to help Scotland in any way we can so it can avoid any of these problems.”
Royal Highland Show: warning to Scots food producers over exports
