A land expert has urged Scots to have their say in plans to reform Europe’s Common Agriculture Policy.
Andy Wightman spoke out after SNP MEP Alyn Smith encouraged public participation ahead of a debate by the European Parliament’s agriculture committee, of which Mr Smith is a member.
It is understood there will a concerted effort to cap the contentious Common Agriculture Policy. The European Commission is proposing reform including an upper ceiling on what any one farmer can receive, partly out of consideration for newer member states who believe they have never had their fair share.
MEP Alyn Smith opposes capping at the moment, saying: “If we get the support structures right, then a big Single Farm Payment means that the recipient is doing a lot of farming, producing a lot of food and employing a lot of people.
“However, there are a lot of people opposed to this view, and we need to think about Plan B, and indeed C and D. I need more of a mandate, as simply opposing capping will shut us out of the discussions, and guarantee that if it does happen it will happen in a way that does not work for us.
“If the net effect of the introduction of capping is that Scotland as a whole loses a lot of our funding, then I need a Plan B that works in the national interest.”
Mr Wightman, author of Who Owns Scotland and The Poor had no Lawyers, told HeraldScotland: “Currently, Scotland’s farmers and landowners receive over £500 million in public subsidies each year. The division of the spoils is somewhat skewed, however.
“During the 10 years from 2000 to 2009, the top 50 recipients of the subsidies included many of Scotland’s dukes, earls and lords who between them received £168 million - over £3.3 million each.
“In 2009, over £175 million was paid to 1032 farmers - a mere 5.3% of the total recipients and half of the £555 million went to 12% of farmers. Some even received over £1 million each.”
Mr Wightman added: “Farmers who can operate at scale in the market place should receive no support at all. Instead, support should be focussed on those facing real disadvantage and providing clear public benefits. Who is making the policy here and in whose interests? Is it the public (whose cash this is) or is it a cabal of big farming lobbyists and politicians.”
He added: “Alyn Smith, to be fair, recognises that Scotland (and he himself) are in a minority in this view and he is therefore looking for a steer from his constituents on the question. Should he continue to oppose capping? If it’s going to happen, then at what level should it be set?”
The consultation period closes at the end of November. Views can be sent to Mr Smith at
www.alynsmith.eu
Coming soon: Andy Wightman will shortly begin a regular blog on HeraldScotland, focussing on land issues.
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