National Farmers' Union of Scotland : NFU Scotland Meets Scottish Brexit Minister for Constructive Frameworks Discussions

Ensuring the right policy framework for Scottish agriculture was front and centre of a high-level meeting between NFU Scotland and the Scottish Government's Minister for UK's Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, Michael Russell MSP, this morning.

At a meeting in the Scottish Parliament, President Andrew McCornick, Director of Policy Jonnie Hall and Political Affairs Manager Clare Slipper received an update on the ongoing negotiations between UK and Scottish Ministers on the transposition of policy frameworks after the UK leaves the EU.

The meeting came in the same week as the UK Government's European Union (Withdrawal) Bill passes through the House of Lords, where NFU Scotland has made strong representations to ensure powers over implementing agricultural policy are protected within Scotland's devolution settlement.

The same message will be taken tomorrow to the House of Commons, when NFU Scotland will be attending a Westminster Hall debate on 'Future Agricultural Policy and Powers'.

Speaking after this morning's meeting, NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said: 'Our constructive discussions with the Minister today were enlightening and it was encouraging to hear that progress is now being made between UK and Scottish negotiators on how future policy frameworks will be transposed after Brexit.

'We addressed the issue of future funding while also re-stating to the Minister our firm belief that an adequately-resourced and ringfenced agricultural and rural development budget is required. This will be key if we are to effectively implement a future Scottish agricultural policy that enables farmers and crofters to underpin Scotland's rural economy, environment and communities.'

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