Commissioner visit highlight of four day festival

NFU Scotland will use the country’s biggest agricultural event to meet with Europe’s leading farm official to discuss his plans for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and his agenda for simplification.

The Royal Highland Show, which opens at Ingliston near Edinburgh on Thursday 18 June, will host a visit from EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan.  It will be Mr Hogan’s first formal visit to the show since his appointment in November 2014.  The Highland Show runs until Sunday 21 June.

While Mr Hogan will spend much of Thursday 18 June in the show field, NFU Scotland has invited the Commissioner to visit a traditional Scottish family farm on Friday 19 June.

That visit will be hosted by Robert and Gavin Hamilton, who produce cereals, beef and lamb on their farm at Garvald Mains near Haddington.

Speaking ahead of the visit, NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker said: “With Scotland and the rest of Europe still coming to terms with the current CAP deal, it is clear from Commissioner Hogan’s comments that he has quickly grasped the difficulties being experienced across the EU in implementing the new schemes.

“We are delighted that the Commissioner has taken up this invite to visit Scotland and, by having him visit a typical family farm, we can start to discuss the challenges that introducing the new CAP has posed for our farmers.

“We would want to see flexibilities around implementation and, given the potential for disruption to normal support payment timetables, some flexibility to allow direct payments to still be made to farmers in December as has been the case for years.

“As the final flush of support scheme applications comes in before the June 15 deadline in Scotland, the implementation of the new support system risks delaying payments at a time when low returns across many commodities are putting businesses under pressure.  Scotland will not be alone in facing potential payment run disruption – a factor that merits European-wide consideration.

“On simplicity, Brian Pack’s recent red tape review has outlined that more must be done in Scotland to address the burden of paperwork or inspections in those areas where we have discretion.  However, we also need changes in the EU on some rules and in particular a more proportionate penalty system that recognises genuine errors.  We want the Commissioner’s simplification agenda to encompass that approach.”

Notes to Editors

• Scotland’s leading agricultural event, the Royal Highland Show will be held at Ingliston, near Edinburgh starting on Thursday 18 June until Sunday 21 June.
• NFU Scotland will be holding its traditional press briefing and a number of photo opportunities at the NFU Scotland/NFU Mutual Stand, Avenue 7 (adjacent to the clock tower beside the main show ring) on Thursday 18 June at 10.00am – 11.00am.
• On Friday 19 June, EU Farm Commissioner Phil Hogan has accepted an invitation from NFU Scotland to visit a traditional Scottish farm to discuss the Common Agricultural Policy; its current implementation; a proportionate penalty system; his plans for a mid-term review of the CAP and his views on how simplification of the rules governing farming, including greening, can be simplified. The visit will take place at Garvald Mains, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4LP (courtesy of Gavin and Robert Hamilton and families) starting at 9.00am.  Garvald Mains is approx. 35 miles or one hours’ drive from the Highland Show site.
• Garvald Mains is a mixed family farm of 370 hectares of which 312 hectares are classed as Less Favoured Area. Its arable enterprise includes winter barley, spring barley and winter wheat.
• The grassland supports 290 beef cows and heifers, split evenly between spring and autumn calvers.  It also supports a breeding flock of 260 ewes. Family labour only is employed on the farm involving Robert and Gavin and their wives Marion and Jill with some contract help for forage harvesting, contract spraying, muck spreading, some ploughing and all arable sowing.
• If media would like to attend the press briefing on Thursday 18 June, please contact Bob or Ruth on media@nfus.org.uk
• If media would like to attend the farm visit on Friday 19 June, please contact Bob or Ruth on media@nfus.org.uk or contact Caroline on Caroline.winchester@ec.europa.eu  
• If you are unable to attend but would like photographs from the farm visit then please contact media@nfus.org.uk or call Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006 or Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108. 
• Internet access and mobile phone coverage at The Highland Show can be limited.  Notice of any media requirements in advance of the event would be appreciated and help ensure all requests can be met.

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006