Carmichael: ‘Agriculture Bill needs change to work for Scottish farmers and crofters’

Alistair Carmichael, the MP for Orkney and Shetland, has challenged the UK Government to deliver a Scottish Schedule to the Agriculture Bill, saying differences with the Scottish Government must be put aside to resolve the issue.

The bill, which will create the post-Brexit farming framework for the UK includes schedules specifically for Wales and Northern Ireland, but — because the UK and Scottish Government can’t agree on terms — there is no Scottish schedule. Mr Carmichael warned that if this is left unchanged it could lead to a situation where Scottish farmers do not have rules which are specific to their needs and challenges.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Carmichael said: “The National Farming Union of Scotland and other farming organisations north of the border are increasingly concerned about the lack of agreement between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government to allow a Scottish Schedule into the Agriculture Bill.

“Would the minister be prepared to meet with me and a cross-party delegation including the National Farmers Union of Scotland and crofters’ organisations to hear from them, what the industry would want in that schedule.”

Responding on behalf of the government, farming minister, Robert Goodwill MP, said: “I would certainly be happy to meet with the Rt. Hon. Gentleman. I was in Aberdeenshire recently and met with representatives of the Scottish Unions, and indeed last week I met with Roseanna Cunningham [MSP] from the Scottish administration and discussed a number of issues.”

Speaking after the exchange, Mr Carmichael added: “It is good that the minister is willing to listen to and engage with the experts in the industry, but still too little progress is being made on this. There are already Welsh specific regulations and Northern Ireland specific regulations, but intransigence from both of Scotland’s Governments has led us to this current situation.

“When I meet with the minister, I will put to him the obvious case that Scottish farmers and crofters face different challenges from the dairy farmers of the south of England, and they need a bespoke framework.

“The governments have got to put aside their differences and work in the interests of the industry, otherwise farmers and crofters may pay a heavy price for political wrangling.”