RICHARD Lochhead called for a "new contract" between farmers and the community yesterday as he became the first Scottish minister to speak at the prestigious Oxford Farming Conference since devolution.
Lochhead made it clear to the 500 delegates that, in contrast to his Westminter peers, he is convinced cash spent supporting farming is a sound investment – provided producers deliver environmental benefits for the wider community.
Food product
ion in Scotland is currently valued at £7.5 billion a year, with the Scottish Government determined to see this increase to at least £10bn by 2017.
At present Scottish agriculture receives direct support of more than £450 million a year.
Lochhead said: "Farmers gather here against a background of economic uncertainty, but I believe that the Scottish Government's vision for agriculture combined with the industry's reputation and skills provides hope and optimism for the future.
"What I would like to see is effectively a new contract between our society and farmers to deliver clear outcomes in the interests of Scotland. That means a contract that recognises the fundamental role of farmers and land managers in utilising Scotland's biggest asset in the public interest and then addresses specific issues through more targeted measures."
Ever since the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy were implemented in 2005, farmers and crofters have had the security of the single farm payment cheque. The SFP replaced a wide range of previous subsidies and was based on the historical receipt of payments in the reference years of 2000-2.
Many within the industry quickly grasped the reality that even if they cut production drastically, they would still receive their SFP, as long as they kept their holdings tidy and in good order. This course of action does not sit easily with many farmers or NFU Scotland, and Lochhead now appears to have embraced the mood.
He said: "Our policy tools need to ensure that farmers will only get the payment if they actively carry out the practices that deliver economic, social and environmental benefits.
"The primary purpose of Scottish agriculture should always be food production. Given the national importance of agriculture, public support for farming is wholly justified and will be essential in the years ahead given the unique challenges faced by the industry."
The UK government has repeatedly contended that all direct support throughout the EU should be phased out as quickly as possible.
Lochhead made it clear that the SNP wants to see a greater say for Scotland in the corridors of power in Brussels.
He said: "Putting together clear, successful policies for the future will need genuine engagement by governments and stakeholders. Food is now higher on Scotland's agenda than ever before and our farmers are a vital resource in delivering food security for future generations."
Hilary Benn, the UK Environment Secretary, also addressed the conference and would no doubt have found Lochhead's line a difficult one to match.
However, Benn at least made reference to concerns over future food supplies in the face of projections that the world's population will grow from the current six billion to nine billion by 2050.
He said: "I want British agriculture to produce as much food as possible. No ifs, no buts. We could produce more fruit and vegetables here in the UK – the market is there, so what is holding us back? If there is a demand then production should follow."
John Scott MSP, a farmer and the Tory spokesman on rural affairs, was broadly supportive of Lochhead's comments, but with a caveat.
He said: "He must, however, ensure that his warm words are backed up by concrete measures to substantially reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and so free them up to do what they do best, namely producing food."
The full article contains 629 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
