GEORGE Lyon MEP has said he is bitterly disappointed that the EU Commission is set to block moves to allow Scotland to borrow some of the UK's coupling entitlement that would have delivered a 13% coupling rate for Scottish agricultural support.

At a meeting with Commissioner Ciolos yesterday morning, Mr Lyon was told by him that EU rules do not allow that to happen as the UK has chosen to implement separate CAP arrangements in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Commissioner argued that as a result, each part of the UK must comply with the CAP rules as if it were a separate country. He explained that the only way to have higher coupled payments in any part of the UK would be to have a single UK CAP (Common Agricultural Policy).

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "It is incredible that just a few weeks ago, UK Minister George Eustice and I were given a positive answer in a face-to-face meeting with Commissioner Ciolos, a decision that the UK Government refused to accept at face value, and now apparently that decision has been reversed.

"This outcome is a bitter blow to Scotland's farmers."