An SNP MSP has called on the UK Government to provide urgent
details of post-Brexit support for Scottish crofters, following
news from the Scottish Crofting Federation that 31% in the
industry are ‘despondent’ about the future and a further 55%
‘uncertain’.
The survey also found that Brexit, and the knock-on effect on
prices and support payments, is impacting livestock numbers with
the majority of sheep and cattle producers reducing their stock
numbers – a trend the Crofting Federation has said is set to
continue.
The UK Farming Minister, , has previously only committed
to EU matched funding support for the industry until the end of
2022.
The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) supports the SNP’s
position that all decisions affecting agriculture in Scotland
should be taken in Scotland.
SNP MSP said:
“This latest survey is yet more evidence of the cloud of
uncertainty that hangs above Scotland’s rural industries.
“The Tories have promised Scotland’s crofters they will not lose
out on subsidies post-Brexit, but are yet to provide any detail
whatsoever on how this will be achieved.
“Thanks to the Tory power grab on Scotland’s devolved powers,
many in the industry now fear the UK Government are gearing up to
abandon rural Scotland - leaving our crofters in the lurch.
“It’s time and his Tory colleagues put
forward a detailed plan on the future of funding for Scotland’s
agricultural industry, reassuring crofters the plug won’t be
pulled on vital support in the coming years.”
“The Tories must put their bitter civil war to one side and focus
on limiting damage to rural Scotland.”
Notes:
'Crofters wary about the future'
https://www.crofting.org/uploads/news/crofterswary.pdf
