Future in Hands of Health Check and Members

UK - NFU Scotland is urging its membership to get involved in the debate that will shape the future delivery of agricultural support in Scotland.

26 June 2008

2 minute read

Europe

NFUS has broadly welcomed the recently announced CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Health Check proposals from Europe and the publication of the Scottish Government’s own consultation but the discussion on certain key issues for Scotland is about to heat up.

The Union has now issued its own consultation document and will go out to its membership in the regions, starting on July 7 in Dingwall as it formulates its response. The roadshows will then take in Inverurie, Ardrishaig, Dumfries, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Glasgow, Ayr, Perth and Lauder.

The meetings will look at the proposals for the CAP and delivery of support between now and 2013 but will also take the opportunity to look at what shape the CAP should take beyond 2013.

NFUS President Jim McLaren said:

“These proposals will have a profound affect on the shape Scottish agriculture going forward. Now is the time for our membership to make their thoughts and feelings known on how they expect support to be delivered in the future and what they expect that support to recognise and reward?

“There is something for all our members to get excited about in these proposals. If you are concerned about the sustainability of livestock production within our more fragile areas, the future of the Scottish Beef Calf Scheme, the ending of milk quotas, the removal of set aside, higher modulation rates or a possible new entrants’ scheme – then these are the meetings for you.

“The meetings are an opportunity for our members to really get involved in the debate with our officeholders and staff. If you can’t get to the meetings, then our consultation is on our website. There are plenty of opportunities to respond. We need to know where our members sit on a heap of issues before we get stuck into the debate at a European level this autumn.”