OIC seek urgent meeting with cabinet secretary over CAP reform

Orkney Islands Council is to request an urgent meeting with the cabinet secretary for rural affairs and environment, Richard Lochhead MSP, over implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which could see the local farming industry lose millions of pounds in support payments.

Councillor Stephen Hagan made the recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting of the council’s development and infrastructure committee.

According to a report before the committee, the agricultural industry in Orkney would lose £1.7 million of basic payments annually — around 10 per cent — under the current proposals, although there is still uncertainty regarding the final details of the payment structures and rates.

However, several councillors questioned the figure, with Councillor Hagan referring to a recent case study in Westray which estimated losses at closer to 30 per cent.

The committee agreed that OIC convener, Councillor Steven Heddle, should write to Mr Lochhead and request a meeting as soon as possible.

Full story in this week’s The Orcadian.