NFU Scotland will be called to give evidence to a Westminster
committee scrutinising key post-Brexit farming legislation
following an intervention from a north-east MP.
Representatives were not due to appear before the public bill
committee, which is examining the Agriculture Bill that is
currently working its way through parliament.
The legislation sets out plans for the rural sector in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland after the UK leaves the EU. However,
it will not apply north of the border, as the SNP government
refused an offer for the UK Government to legislate on its
behalf.
Following an intervention from Gordon MP today, it was agreed that NFU
Scotland will now give evidence on Thursday.
Mr Clark, the Scottish Conservative Westminster group spokesman
on agriculture, said:
“The SNP refusal to be included in the Agricultural Bill has left
Scottish farmers out in the cold.
“NFU Scotland had not been called to give evidence due to SNP
government belligerence until I intervened with the Farming
Minister . They will now be
invited.
“The bill creates a framework for after we leave the EU, with
powers devolved to Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“SNP are too busy shouting ‘power grab’ so yet again Scottish
voices are not being heard on this national issue.
“We need clarity on payments, on keeping the internal UK market
open and on UK -ide frameworks so sprays used in Aberdeenshire
are the same in East Anglia.
“We also need action from instead of posturing. The SNP
must stop politicising the process and get on board. Until that
happens, 2019 farming payments are in jeopardy.”
