President pledges full commitment to implementation process
NFU Scotland’s President, Nigel Miller, has pledged 100 percent commitment from staff and officeholders in its efforts to strike the best deal for Scottish agriculture from the ongoing CAP Reform process.
As he enters his final 12 months as NFU Scotland President, Mr Miller used his presidential address at the Union’s AGM in St Andrews to highlight the huge risks that poor implementation will place on all sectors – whether keeping stock or growing crops.
The Union’s drive is to strike as fair a deal as possible for existing businesses but also make sure the structures are in place to recognise new businesses or those disadvantaged by the old historic system from day one of the new CAP structure coming into play.
As a snapshot of the impact a poor deal could have, Mr Miller highlighted the Orkney island of Westray, an area of 47 square kilometres and a population of 600, but supporting almost 2500 beef cows. Mr Miller stressed that under current proposals, the island could lose more than £300,000 in direct support by the end of the transition period in 2019. That would have a huge impact on the local economy.
Speaking at St Andrews, Mr Miller said:
“While we may wish to see as much return from the real marketplace as possible, the reality is that in the world of volatile markets and extreme climate, direct support remains hugely important to maintaining the whole fabric of rural communities and our food production systems.
“The stakes on this current CAP implementation process are extremely high and will mean difference between existing businesses kicking on and developing or those businesses failing, and what that may mean for those that rely upon them.
“Scotland has real disadvantages in moving to an area payment – not least because of our very low budget. Without using all of the targeting tools, we will be in a difficult place – both at an individual business level and in terms of being competitive with our neighbours in Europe.
“There will have to be compromises, it will be difficult to achieve a great result for everyone but there is an overwhelming case for maintaining farm businesses and what that means for jobs in wider rural economy. And we have to encompass genuine new entrants and those disadvantaged by the historic system as early in the process as is possible.
“In a way, the island of Westray provides an excellent snapshot of the challenges. This small, but very productive island has largely managed to maintained cow numbers at 2500 throughout the decoupling period from 2002 to 2010. Single Farm Payment and the beef calf scheme delivers just over £1 million in support to this community – support that, under current plans, could take a hit of more than £300,000 by the end of the transition period in 2019. How does a rural-based local economy and community cope with that kind of extreme pressure?
“The CAP challenge for the whole of Scotland and every sector is huge and NFU Scotland is fully committed to the consultation process in the coming months as that will define Scottish farming’s fortunes for the foreseeable future.”
Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006 or media@nfus.org.uk