WITH THREE months to go until Brexit is triggered, NFU Scotland has been to Westminster to state its priorities for the UK's negotiated exit from the European Union.

On Monday, a union team including its president Allan Bowie, chief executive Scott Walker, director of policy Jonnie Hall and parliamentary officer Clare Slipper, met with David Jones MP, Minister of State at the recently created Department for Exiting the European Union.

At the meeting, the union laid out what it believes needs to be done to secure productive agriculture in Scotland. Mr Bowie said: “The UK Government is already in the process of establishing its priorities and it is vitally important that we engage with them now and make sure they are clear on what Scottish farmers and crofters want.

“There is strong recognition that Scottish agriculture’s needs from Brexit negotiations will differ from the rest of the UK and that this must be a factor under any future arrangements. There are already marked differences between different parts of the UK. In Scotland, for example, we have opted to use part of our existing support package to target key sectors like beef and hill sheep and the ability of Scotland to make such decisions will clearly need to be maintained," said Mr Bowie.

“While assurances have been given about support levels during the Brexit negotiating period, we pressed the case for funding levels to be maintained once we are outside of the EU and that they go hand-in-hand with an agricultural policy, focussed on active production, that fits with Scottish agriculture’s needs.

“That requires a future UK agricultural policy that is truly representative of all parts of the UK and recognises the differences and the drivers of the industry in Scotland," he said.

“We must make the most of the opportunities for our farming, food and drink sectors that Brexit presents. We can support jobs and grow income but only if we prioritise the needs of farming. The importance of a trade deal with Europe, future trading arrangements with the rest of the world and access to non-UK labour were all issues discussed in our valuable discussions with the Minister.

“And Scotland’s requirements go further, stretching into research funding and capacity to underpin innovation; the protection of branding for renowned Scottish products, and the regulatory framework that governs standards," added Mr Bowie.

“We thank the Minister for his time. Speaking to the right people at the right time is going to be key in the months ahead. Big decisions will be taken that will determine the future of agriculture for generations to come. NFUS will make sure that the people deciding our future will hear what we need and want.”