Lochhead hosts conference on agricultural support
Scotland continued to lead European thinking today when Richard Lochhead hosted an influential conference on the future of agricultural support.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs welcomed policy makers from the European Commission, Germany, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Italy to discuss future changes to the European Common Agricultural Policy.
The discussions were shaped by the Brian Pack Inquiry commissioned by Richard Lochhead in 2009 which aimed to find the best route forward for Scotland's industry and help influence European thinking. The report has been warmly welcomed by the Commission and has placed Scotland at the vanguard of European negotiations.
Richard Lochhead said:
"An increasing global population and the spectre of climate change have placed food production and food security issues higher than ever on the political agenda.
"This comes at a crucial stage for policy development in Europe. The decisions that Europe makes in the next year or two on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will set the agenda and map out the future for the farming industry between 2014 and 2020.
"A key objective for Scotland it the development of a new regime that directs support to active farmers and helps new entrants to farming.
"Without direct support, the Scottish farming sector would be at a distinct disadvantage and our world renowned food and drink sector, currently worth 11 billion pounds to our economy, would be placed in jeopardy.
"While our domestic market is expanding with consumers realising the true value and quality of our produce, the export market also soared by 15 per cent between 2007 and 2009. A true success story for Scotland's first ever policy on Food and Drink.
"The outstanding quality produce, which has fuelled the international demand for the 'Scottish Brand', would not be possible without the hard work of Scotland's farmers and crofters who actively manage and care for the land to ensure it produces a wide range of agricultural, environmental and social benefits.
"Without direct support to countries on the periphery of Europe these wider benefits would be lost as would the quality and diversity of produce which modern day consumer have come to expect and enjoy.
"Here in Scotland we know that direct payments are crucial to our industry. We know the variety of produce and benefits derived from farming. As well as producing some of the finest quality produce in the world, our farmers protect and conserve unique landscapes, provide a range of habitats for iconic and endangered species and support our nation's reputation for environmental purity and rich natural biodiversity.
"Unlike the UK Government which questions the role of direct payments in the shape of future CAP, we know the value of Scotland's attributes and we support the variety and unique contribution that the smaller member states can bring to the table.
"It is for this very diversity that European Agricultural Commissioner Dacian Ciolos rejected Caroline Spelman's calls to phase out direct payments and it is for that same reason that the Scottish Government will fight for the continuation of that support.
"We have an opportunity, with the eyes of European decision makers upon us, to make a significant difference not only to Scotland's future but the future of the industry across Europe. Let us continue on this path."
Background
EU negotiations are due to begin later in 2011 on the future shape of the Common Agricultural Policy for the next seven-year EU budget period, 2014 to 2020.
Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead established an independent inquiry, chaired by Brian Pack OBE, to advise government on the future shape of the CAP to meet Scotland's needs. The inquiry reported in November 2010.
The inquiry's recommendations focussed on defining policy principles at this stage, whilst carrying put follow-up work to turn those principles into detailed policy proposals.
This conference, held in Edinburgh's Holyrood Hotel, forms part of the follow-up work, which will also include detailed consultation with stakeholders through the government's Future CAP Stakeholder Group and sub-groups beneath it.
Scotland continued to lead European thinking today when Richard Lochhead hosted an influential conference on the future of agricultural support.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs welcomed policy makers from the European Commission, Germany, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Italy to discuss future changes to the European Common Agricultural Policy.
The discussions were shaped by the Brian Pack Inquiry commissioned by Richard Lochhead in 2009 which aimed to find the best route forward for Scotland's industry and help influence European thinking. The report has been warmly welcomed by the Commission and has placed Scotland at the vanguard of European negotiations.
Richard Lochhead said:
"This comes at a crucial stage for policy development in Europe. The decisions that Europe makes in the next year or two on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will set the agenda and map out the future for the farming industry between 2014 and 2020.
"A key objective for Scotland it the development of a new regime that directs support to active farmers and helps new entrants to farming.
"Without direct support, the Scottish farming sector would be at a distinct disadvantage and our world renowned food and drink sector, currently worth 11 billion pounds to our economy, would be placed in jeopardy.
"While our domestic market is expanding with consumers realising the true value and quality of our produce, the export market also soared by 15 per cent between 2007 and 2009. A true success story for Scotland's first ever policy on Food and Drink.
"The outstanding quality produce, which has fuelled the international demand for the 'Scottish Brand', would not be possible without the hard work of Scotland's farmers and crofters who actively manage and care for the land to ensure it produces a wide range of agricultural, environmental and social benefits.
"Without direct support to countries on the periphery of Europe these wider benefits would be lost as would the quality and diversity of produce which modern day consumer have come to expect and enjoy.
"Here in Scotland we know that direct payments are crucial to our industry. We know the variety of produce and benefits derived from farming. As well as producing some of the finest quality produce in the world, our farmers protect and conserve unique landscapes, provide a range of habitats for iconic and endangered species and support our nation's reputation for environmental purity and rich natural biodiversity.
"Unlike the UK Government which questions the role of direct payments in the shape of future CAP, we know the value of Scotland's attributes and we support the variety and unique contribution that the smaller member states can bring to the table.
"It is for this very diversity that European Agricultural Commissioner Dacian Ciolos rejected Caroline Spelman's calls to phase out direct payments and it is for that same reason that the Scottish Government will fight for the continuation of that support.
"We have an opportunity, with the eyes of European decision makers upon us, to make a significant difference not only to Scotland's future but the future of the industry across Europe. Let us continue on this path."
Background
EU negotiations are due to begin later in 2011 on the future shape of the Common Agricultural Policy for the next seven-year EU budget period, 2014 to 2020.
Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead established an independent inquiry, chaired by Brian Pack OBE, to advise government on the future shape of the CAP to meet Scotland's needs. The inquiry reported in November 2010.
The inquiry's recommendations focussed on defining policy principles at this stage, whilst carrying put follow-up work to turn those principles into detailed policy proposals.
This conference, held in Edinburgh's Holyrood Hotel, forms part of the follow-up work, which will also include detailed consultation with stakeholders through the government's Future CAP Stakeholder Group and sub-groups beneath it.
