Gougeon accuses Defra chief of ‘disrespecting’ devolved nations

Scottish rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon has weighed in on the ongoing farm funding row, accusing Defra secretary Steve Barclay of showing “complete disrespect” for Scotland and the devolved nations.

With two weeks left until the general election, the main political parties have been setting out their plans for future farm funding.

The Conservatives have pledged to add an extra £1bn to the UK agricultural budget over the next parliament in its election manifesto, whereas Labour has been non-committal.

See also: Analysis: What would a Labour government do for food and farming?

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show on Thursday (20 June), Ms Gougeon said Labour’s offer for farming “doesn’t go anywhere near far enough”, adding: “They haven’t got an offer there.”

The Liberal Democrats’ pledge to fund farming with an extra £1bn for each year of the next parliament “comes closer to what’s needed by the sector and to provide that certainty”, Ms Gougeon added.

‘Frustration’

Asked whether she had held discussions with Defra secretary Steve Barclay over the budget, Ms Gougeon told of her “frustration” with the minister.

“Since Steve Barclay has become Defra secretary of state, he has completely ignored, not just me, but all the devolved administrations,” she told journalists at the show.

“I haven’t had one response to a piece of correspondence. We have the inner-ministerial meetings, which are with other devolved nations, too. We rearrange them to fit around the secretary of state. He pulled out at the last minute.

“So, I’ve never had a meeting with him and I’ve never had a piece of correspondence. It’s just complete disrespect.”

Ms Gougeon said during the process of creating Scotland’s Agriculture Bill, there were calls to include a multi-annual funding framework, but this had been “impossible” for her to do.

“We have absolutely no clarity as to what’s coming, or what any funding quantity is going to be next year, let alone the years after that too, so we’re completely in the dark,” she said.

Ms Gougeon endorsed calls from NFU Scotland (NFUS) to see the annual budget for UK agriculture increased by at least £1bn a year – and a bigger share of the money for Scotland.

“This is because Scotland does the lion’s share of so many activities that benefit the whole of the UK when it comes to peatland restoration, forestry, etc. That’s why we deserve a fairer share of that funding,” she added.

‘No cliff edge’

Addressing a Quality Meat Scotland breakfast briefing at the Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s first minister John Swinney reaffirmed there will be “no cliff edge” for Scottish farmers and crofters in the transition from old EU CAP to the new four-tiered farm support system.

NFUS director of policy Jonnie Hall and president Martin Kennedy both welcomed the commitment.

Speaking at an NFUS press briefing, Mr Kennedy argued that Scotland does much of the “heavy lifting” and therefore deserves to receive more than the 17% share of the UK farming budget it currently receives from Westminster.

“We are punching way above our weight in Scotland. In terms of the peatlands, we have designated sites, we have less favoured areas, and forestry is all done in Scotland,” said Mr Kennedy.

“We have a good case to make for a greater share of that margin.”