A €500 million package proposed by the European Commission following yesterday’s demonstrations in Brussels will deliver little for Scotland’s farming sector.
Although final detail of the proposals, as discussed at an emergency meeting of farm ministers, has yet to emerge it is clear that these will not deliver relief to struggling Scottish farmers.
Speaking on his return from Brussels, Mr Bowie said:
“Yesterday’s huge show of strength by more than 5000 farmers sought a meaningful response from the European Commission but with full details yet to emerge, it appears that no immediate benefit for Scottish farming will be forthcoming.
“It is a disappointment that the Commission has not grasped the seriousness of the situation. Not only does the dairy-centric package fail to recognise that the current crisis is hitting all agricultural sectors but it is uncertain if the deal itself will even benefit Scottish dairy farmers – a lose, lose situation.
“Without European support, the focus is now domestic. We need Defra Secretary of State Liz Truss and Scottish Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead to waste no time in pulling our retail and food service sectors into line and insist they put supply chains in place that ensure the burden of risk carried by primary producers is better recognised through a fairer share of the margins.
“The price crisis also make delivery of support payments by Richard Lochhead in early December vital to allow Scottish farmers to manage cash flow in their businesses.
“The delivery timetable flexibilities proposed in yesterday’s EU package are virtually meaningless in a Scottish context without an equal commitment from Europe to roll back on the inspection and cross-compliance demands. Therefore delivery of CAP support in the first week of December is now a ‘must do’ for the Cabinet Secretary.”
EUROPEAN PACKAGE A LET DOWN FOR SCOTTISH FARMERS
