We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Scots warn on CAP vision
THE UK Government’s future vision for the CAP would hit Scottish farmers harder than those south of the border, damaging prices, reducing livestock numbers and cutting their income, research has revealed.
Researchers suggest that by 2018, the Scottish beef herd would have decreased by 33 per cent, sheep numbers by 28 per cent, sheep meat prices by 11 per cent, and dairy prices by 3.7 per cent.
Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead, said: “This research blows out of the water any pretence the UK Government’s vision for agriculture has the interests of farmers at its heart.
“If implemented, our farmers would be left staring down the barrel at lower prices, fewer animals and reduced income.”
NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren said: “Since devolution, there has been tension over the UK Government’s position in agricultural negotiations in Europe, particularly its view on CAP.
“The line pushed by UK Treasury to scrap the CAP has flown in the face of the position of devolved administrations and industry.
“The CAP must remain the platform for delivering the social, economic and environmental benefits demanded of farming by society.”