SINCE the European elections, MEPs have been busy allocating seats on the various European Parliament committees.

Scottish farmers will be disappointed to learn that direct representation of Scottish MEPs on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has gone from two to zero.

Prior to the elections Scotland's farmers could count on Lib/Dem MEP George Lyon and SNP MEP Alyn Smith to make their case, but Mr Lyon failed to get re-elected and since the election Mr Smith has become a substitute member, rather than a full member of the Agriculture Committee.

Substitute members can attend and speak at all committee meetings, but can only vote when the full member is absent and they are acting as a substitute. Many Scottish farmers will regret that their influence has diminished.

Mr Smith said: "With the line by line detail of CAP reform now past us there is much less legislation in the Committee's pipeline, and as a substitute member I will be able to maintain my levels of activity and engagement whilst being able to pursue specific issues of importance to Scotland rather than responding to line by line dossiers about tobacco and wine production. "

After expressing her disappointment at the turn of events, Clare Slipper, Parliamentary Officer for NFU Scotland, went on to say: "We are pleased that Alyn Smith continues as a substitute member.

"However, in the new parliamentary term we will be making a renewed effort to maintain close working relationships with the wider UK MEPs who do sit on the AGRI Committee to ensure that the Scottish voice is heard clearly in future negotiations."