Following the publication of the Agriculture Bill, the
Scottish Affairs Committee has today launched an inquiry into the
future of Scottish agriculture post-Brexit, investigating how any
new system could meet the needs of Scottish farmers and
crofters.
As the UK leaves the European Union, it will also cease to be
bound by the rules of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and a
new UK wide framework agreement will need to be created to manage
agricultural policy in the UK and the devolved nations. The
Committee will also explore the implications of the Agriculture
Bill not giving powers to the Scottish government.
The inquiry will consider the implications of agriculture powers
returning from Brussels and how any common frameworks between the
UK and devolved Governments will be balanced with providing
flexibility for each nation.
The inquiry will also examine the shortages of agricultural
workers in Scotland following the UK Government’s announcement of
a new Seasonal Workers pilot scheme.
Productivity in farms will also be looked at during the inquiry,
particularly the role science and technology can play in making
farms more innovative.
Committee Chair, MP, said:
“Agriculture is a vital part of the Scottish economy and way
of life in remote and rural areas. As the UK leaves the EU,
Scotland has an opportunity to ensure its agricultural policies
meet the needs of Scottish farmers.
This inquiry will examine the key priorities for
Scottish farming and explore how agricultural policy after Brexit
will impact Scottish farmers, particularly those in remote and
less favoured areas, while retaining a common framework with the
rest of the UK.”
Terms of reference
The Committee has invited evidence on the following questions:
- What should be the priorities of any future agricultural
support system in Scotland? Are the needs of the agricultural
sector in Scotland different from the rest of the UK?
- What funding will Scotland’s agricultural sector require
post-Brexit? What should future agricultural support in Scotland
look like, and what goals should it seek to achieve?
- How should a future agricultural policy seek to accommodate
different sectors of the farming community, especially those in
remote and less favoured areas, and crofters?
- What should be included in common frameworks between the UK
and devolved administrations in relation to agriculture? What
balance should it strike between having a common UK-wide approach
and providing flexibility to Scotland’s needs?
- What should be done to meet the long-term labour needs of
Scotland’s agricultural sector?
- What role can innovation & technology have in improving
productivity in Scottish agriculture?
