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Fair deal for farmers and fishermen
18/03/2008
Scotland's case for a fair deal for farmers and fishermen will be taken to the heart of Europe today.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead held one-to-one talks with agriculture and fisheries commissioners.
A private meeting was held with Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel to ensure changes to the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) recognise Scotland's unique farming industry.
Afterwards Mr Lochhead said:
"The Scottish Government is determined to ensure our farmers and crofters have a strong voice in Brussels and my meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, was extremely helpful.
"As far as the 2008 CAP Healthcheck is concerned, we were offered some considerable comfort that in principle the Commissioner and some other member states are close to Scotland's position on a number of issues. However, we await the Commission's formal proposals that will be published on May 20. Thereafter we will be consulting in Scotland on the best way forward.
"I was able to outline to Commissioner Fischer Boel the distinctive nature of Scottish agriculture and why that must be taken into account by the CAP Healthcheck particularly in relation to the need for ongoing support for our livestock sectors and more remote communities.
"I explained that we are seeking maximum flexibility from the Healthcheck and the ability to secure the long term sustainability of a vital Scottish industry.
"We discussed a range of rural issues ranging from our food policy to the challenges facing our sheep and pig sectors. On the difficulties facing the pig sector, I reiterated the plight of our pig farmers at the current time and urged the Commission to explore any possible avenues that may help.
"The Commissioner stuck to her guns and explained that this is a Europe-wide and even global problem but she is optimistic that prices will improve in the next quarter. She accepted fully the challenges facing the sector. Europe is clearly not contemplating any further intervention in the short term over and above the private storage aid and export refunds already on the table. I offered to send the Commission an up to date report on the situation in Scotland.
"On my return to Scotland, I am more than willing to sit down with Scottish pig industry leaders but must recognise that the Scottish Government's ability to intervene is limited by the fact that all pig farmers in Europe are experiencing tough times. We continue to explore what more can be done. There is no doubt that Scotland's retailers can help relieve the pressure facing the industry and I am hoping to meet them in the near future.
"The Commissioner also very kindly confirmed that she is extending the length of her visit to Scotland in the summer that is being hosted by the Scottish Government and that will provide us with a further opportunity to press home Scotland's message."
Mr Lochhead also met Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg to discuss the future of the Common Fisheries Policy and the lead Scotland is taking on sustainable fishing.
Mr Lochhead said:
"The Scottish Government is determined to ensure Scotland's voice is heard in Brussels and today I was able to outline our views on the future of fisheries policy to European Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg.
"I was able to update the Commissioner on the progress being made in Scotland following the introduction of our ground breaking Conservation Credits scheme, where fishermen are rewarded with days at sea in return for signing up to conservation measures.
"I explained to Commissioner Borg that our firm view in Scotland is that responsibility for fisheries management should be passed to nations rather than via the top down approach of the centralised Common Fisheries Policy. The trail blazing measures we are implementing in Scotland begin to take us in that direction.
"We intend to build on our existing measures in partnership with the industry in Scotland and the Commissioner is supportive of what we are doing. For as long as Scotland is part of the CFP we will work to bring as much responsibility for fisheries management back to Scotland as possible. We will continue to be constructive and to put our case to Europe.
"We also had fruitful discussions on the role of independent scientific observers and the need to encourage other nations to follow Scotland's example in terms of the new measures being adopted by our fleet.
"Finally, I raised issue of the huge cost of fuel that is hitting the Scottish fleet hard. I raised concerns that other countries were getting away with subsidising their fleets and the Commissioner gave an assurance that he would enforce a level playing field in Europe and not allow any measures that are illegal under state aid rules. He explained that he was actively taking steps to investigate concerns over the actions of other countries. The Commission have also agreed to meet Scottish officials to provide us with information on any legitimate measures other countries are adopting to address the rising cost of fuel.
"I look forward to my own meeting with the industry in the near future to learn more about the impact of rising fuel costs on the Scottish fleet. However, clearly this is a difficult issue and the Scottish Government just like every other government in Europe is unable to directly influence international oil prices that are making life difficult for a range of marine and other sectors."