The implementation of CAP reform, land tenure issues and the forthcoming referendum on independencewere the big issues debated at NFU Scotland's annual council meeting.
Speakers at the meeting looked at CAP implementation in England and Ireland as well as examining the process involved in reviewing land and agricultural tenancy legislation. Members were also asked to submit questions on independence that they would like NFUS to ask ahead of next year’s referendum.
In his opening speech, NFU Scotland’s chief executive Scott Walker noted that all three had a common theme – members are increasingly frustrated, either by the lack of clear progress, or the availability of information.
Speaking at the event in Perth, he said:“Our CAP reform journey started more than three years ago, and since the Pack review, we have worked flat out and won flexibilities in the recent deal agreed in Europe that take into account the many needs of farmers in Scotland. We made sure that those making decisions in Scotland, the UK and Europe heard Scotland’s views.
'But now that the high level deal has been done at a European level, we need the Scottish Government to kickstart the consultation process that will establish which of the options it will use. Feedback from our members underlines how frustrated they are about the lack of progress in this decision-making process.'
He added: “Discussions on land tenure have always polarised opinions. For the Union there are two issues. First, the very political and social issue of wider land reform and who should own the land in Scotland. Secondly, there is the Scottish farming issue of how do you ensure that there is land available for existing or new farmers to rent – both now and in the future - and that land rented is done so on terms that are fair to all.Progress in this area has been slow, but some is being made.'
On the subject of the referendum, meanwhile, Walker said: 'The Scottish independence referendum is dominating political thinking and we can only expect the intensity of that debate to grow towards 18 September, 2014. NFU Scotland is non-political. We are not choosing sides but we need to ensure that the members hear from both camps, allowing them to make the best-informed decisions.
“None of these three issues have a clear and simple solution and our members don’t have a single point of view on any of them. But the strength of the Union is that we can bring people together who have strong opposing views and we can hold these debates.”
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