The Scottish Government

Summary of key principles of the agreement

• More market-oriented and less trade distorting support measures;
• Continued assistance to farmers, but in amore direct targeted fashion;
• Long-term budgetary support, via EU contributions and national 'envelopes', to keep budgetary costs stable and manageable and subject to the new financial discipline mechanism;
• Some past systems of support will be altered or removed;
• Some quantitative controls on production to remain;
• Strengthened assistance to farmers and rural areas via rural development policy;
• Specific needs of sensitive production areas addressed;
• Environmental considerations fully addressed, notably via 'cross-compliance';
• Consistency with the EU's international obligations;
• Meeting very clearly, the aspirations of consumers and taxpayers;
• Assistance to restructuring the sectors to provide a more sustainable future.