By unlocking the export potential China offers the pig industry, not to mention the red meat sector as a whole, we could gain entry into a marketplace which comprises a fifth of the world’s population.Westminster could bankrupt Scottish farming – SNP
SCOTTISH agriculture is in danger of going bankrupt if Westminster continues to ignore the devolved nations, the Scottish rural affairs secretary has warned.
In an impassioned speech to the Scottish National Party conference in Aviemore on Saturday (March 20) Richard Lochhead MSP said Scotland was ignored ‘time and time again’ by London politicians.
He said ‘Scottish champions’ must enter Westminster at the next general election to fight on vital issues such as the future of the CAP.
“Labour is arguing for Brussels to pull the plug on support for Scotland’s farmers and for the cash to be diverted to the UK Treasury with Scotland never seeing a penny.
“The Tories are remaining suspiciously quiet on the matter.
“The SNP know how vital support is for agriculture and we’ll resist Westminster’s attempt to bankrupt Scottish farming,” said Mr Lochhead.
“Too often when you scratch the surface of devolved issues you find that many of the important decisions are still taken in London – and usually without any attention given to the consequences for Scotland.
“That’s why we need all these important decisions taken in Scotland and until we have that power, that’s why we need champions in Westminster,” he added.
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Readers' comments (2)
Anonymous | 23 March 2010 4:20 pm
This is just the start, the boundries will move even closer to London. Get real - do they really want us- no its been so obvious since the planned foot & mouth outbreak in 2001
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Anonymous | 23 March 2010 7:27 pm
Surely there are already enough Scots in Westminster to look after Scottish interests - suggest you lobby them - what we need is someone to look after England's interests so we can offer old people (including farmers) free care in their old age and university students free education.
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