NFU Scotland claims the greening guide for 2016 - launched at the end of last week - has missed a crucial opportunity to introduce simplification and strip out gold-plating previously introduced by Scottish Government. As a result, Scottish growers remain at a competitive disadvantage compared to their English counterparts.

On a positive note, the Union acknowledges that the 2016 guide to greening is a more concise and readable document than its 2015 equivalent and, subject to EU approval, there is the commitment to introduce equivalence measures for the crop diversification element, also known as the "three-crop" rule.

However, for Scottish growers, additional rules around nitrogen-fixing crops means that this is no longer a viable Ecological Focus Area (EFA) option while new nutrient management plans for permanent grassland brings a paper exercise for farmers.

NFUS President Allan Bowie said: "We know that greening, as an important element of CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), is here to stay. But with Scottish Government going beyond the measures required by Europe, it had an obligation to ensure that any additional requirements were also compatible with profitable agriculture.

"This latest greening guide will be a huge disappointment at the farm level and a blow at a time when margins are wafer this."

Mr Bowie went on: "On the positive side, equivalence measures, subject to EU approval, may help growers deal better with the crop diversification element of greening - also known as the three-crop rule.

"However, Scottish Government introduction of a third management prescription around nitrogen-fixing crops renders a potentially beneficial environmental option virtually meaningless to Scottish growers and is in stark contrast to the way nitrogen fixing crops are viewed as a greening option in England."

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 80 Charolais bulls at Stirling on Tuesday to a top of 50,000gns for one from Major Walter, Balthaycock, Perth to average £7,085 (+£431 on the year for a 66 per cent clearance), while 24 females peaked at 6,000gns and levelled at £2,909.

Simmental bulls sold to 18,000gns and averaged £5,969 for 66 (+£117 for a 75 per cent clearance), while 12 females peaked at 4,800gns and levelled at £2,624.

Wallets Marts sold 1086 prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £74 per head and 176.8p per kg to average 140.7p (no change on the week).