Dave Thompson MSP

SKYE, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has welcomed comments made by Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary while on a visit to meet tenant farmers in the Highlands this week.

Richard Lochhead met Angus McCall, chairman of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, and other members of the organisation gathered in Golspie to discuss reform of Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy and a range of other issues. “I was pleased to be told that Richard agrees with the STFA and I about the need for CAP reform to improve the viability of this very important sector of Scotland’s agricultural community,” said Mr Thompson.

“Richard and his colleagues at the Scottish Government have already taken huge steps to improve the fortunes of the country’s farmers and crofters, through initiatives such as those recommended by the Pack Inquiry, but more is needed to press for CAP reform from Brussels and improvements to procedures around renewable energy generation.

Note:

Scottish Government release on Mr Lochhead’s visit:

CAP REFORM 'CRUCIAL' FOR TENANT FARMERS

Richard Lochhead meets tenant farmers to discuss various issues facing the sector

The future reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is one of the critical issues facing tenant farmers, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said today.

Mr Lochhead was speaking during a visit to Golspie where he met a number of members of the Scottish Tenant Farmers' Association, including chairman Angus McCall, to discuss issues affecting their sector, including the future of tenancies, provision of land for new entrants, inward investment on tenanted farming and opportunities for renewable energy.

Mr Lochhead said: "I agree with the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association that the future design of the Common Agricultural Policy will be crucial for the ongoing success of the tenant farming sector.

"Thanks to the Pack Inquiry, we have already made great progress and we will continue to work closely with our stakeholders to deliver the best possible outcome.

"Today has given me a good opportunity to discuss with tenant farmers the issues facing their sector and the steps we have already taken to improve the climate for letting farm land. I have heard views on their vision for the future of agricultural tenancies and we also discussed issues of new entrants, inward investment and opportunities and challenges around renewables.

"We recently consulted on legislation which will further improve the situation for tenant farmers and our proposals received broad support.

We are currently considering the responses before bringing forward legislation to the Scottish Parliament.

"We have been working with the Tenant Farming Forum to address the issues they have raised and will continue to do so as we move towards October when the European Commission will publish formal proposals for the future of CAP."

Background

The Scottish Government recently consulted on the Agricultural Holdings

(Amendments) (Scotland) Bill. The analysis of consultation responses is available here:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/08/18091324/0

The Tenant Farming Forum is made up of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.