The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has accused the SNP of a “breach of faith” over their failure to deliver millions of pounds of payments to farmers.
Speaking ahead of a campaign visit to Inverurie today, Willie Rennie branded the failure to deliver CAP payments a “shambles” and said the debacle was having a “huge impact” on Aberdeenshire.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead had faced calls to resign before parliament dissolved after overseeing the £178million IT bungle that has derailed crucial CAP payments.
The Press and Journal also recently revealed that Mr Lochhead was made aware of potential issues with payments as early as 2014, leading to speculation that he kept farmers in the dark because knowledge of the fiasco would have undermined the independence campaign.
Mr Rennie, who is joining Scottish Liberal Democrat Aberdeenshire East candidate Christine Jardine on the campaign trail today, said the SNP still have questions to answer over the delivery of CAP payments.
He said: “The delays to CAP payments have taken £300million out of Scotland’s rural economy and many farmers are experiencing huge difficulties as a result of this shambles.
“The priority must be getting money into farm businesses but there are serious questions over the way that the failed IT project has been managed.
“We know that SNP ministers were aware of the IT glitches before the referendum but they kept farmers in the dark for months while they campaigned for independence.
“This has had a huge impact on the wider rural economy. It is hard to see this as anything other than a breach of faith with rural communities.”
Ms Jardine added: “This is a disgrace and no excuses are acceptable.
“For months, farmers have been pressing for action and getting nothing but waffle.
“They will feel that the SNP government’s efforts have been aimed more at covering their own back than helping our rural economy.
“It’s simply unacceptable and Nicola Sturgeon needs to explain why she and Richard Lochhead allowed it to happen.”
But the SNP’s Aberdeenshire East candidate Gillian Martin said: “The Lib Dems do mock indignation like no others come election time – completely ignoring the £200million in public money the SNP Government has provided to ensure that no farmers lose out as a result of delayed payments.
“Further still, the vast majority of payments to farmers have now been made – progress which the Lib Dems should be welcoming instead of their shameless electioneering, which will be seen for what it is.”