(Aberdeen North)
(SNP): If the Secretary of State really believes that he
is “fighting Scotland’s corner”, as he said in Holyrood Magazine,
why is he supporting an Agriculture Bill that will remove powers
from the Scottish Parliament, and simultaneously failing to
honour Tory promises on funding made to Scottish farmers?
The Secretary of State for Scotland (David
Mundell): Obviously, the hon. Lady did not see
yesterday’s announcement by the Secretary of State for the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that there is going to be a
review of convergence funding. No powers on agriculture are being
removed from the Scottish Parliament, but there is a complete and
utter lack of policy from the Scottish Government in relation to
Scottish agriculture. They have brought forward no proposals for
post-Brexit agriculture in Scotland.
Mrs (Berwick-upon-Tweed)
(Con): Holyrood will gain powers over agriculture after
Brexit, but the Scottish Government have decided not to put a
schedule into the Agriculture Bill. That is offensive and
disrespectful to not only Scottish farmers, but my farmers in
Northumberland who have cross-border farms. It will be incredibly
difficult for them. Will my right hon. Friend support me in
trying to encourage the Scottish Government to put a schedule
into the Bill?
: I think everybody
outwith the SNP agrees that it would be preferable to proceed
with such a schedule to the Bill, but Scottish farmers who speak
to me have one clear question: what is the Scottish Government’s
policy for agriculture post Brexit? The answer is that we just do
not know.
