Party policies: Richard Lochhead, SNP

Why should farmers vote for your party?
Scotland’s farmers need real champions to support their industry and their communities at Westminster.

We are the only party arguing against the spending cuts that stand to devastate rural Scotland. Farmers judging us on our record in Holyrood will see SNP MPs understand their concerns and support their industry more than any others.

Where would you make spending savings in the Scottish Government (within farming and rural affairs) and its agencies?
We have consolidated inspections, so by 2011 there will be 7,000 fewer.

We are also merging some rural and environment quangos as part of our public sector simplification programme.

Spending decisions will depend on what Westminster allocates to the Scottish Government.

How would you ensure Scotland’s voice is heard in negotiations in Europe?
Scotland should be directly represented in Europe as a full member state of the EU.

The Scottish Government maintains a presence in Brussels and participates in UK delegations, but Scottish Ministers can only speak when agreeing with the UK Government, despite disagreements over the CAP. In the European Parliament however, SNP MEPs can take a free line and have been praised by the Scottish farming industry.

How will you work to ensure the Scottish Government gets its fair share of Defra’s animal health and welfare budget?
We have been working constructively to devolve budgets in line with the Scudamore Review.

We recognise the importance of constructive partnership in rural affairs and other portfolios. It is wholly unacceptable this has been rebuffed, despite the Scottish Government having worked round the clock to secure a deal.

Would you introduce an independent body to take over animal health policy, alongside a levy on livestock producers?
We object to the proposed Defra levy - amounting to a livestock tax - for its new independent body, which will hit our farmers even though agriculture is devolved to the Scottish Parliament and animal health policy decisions should be made here.

We are working with Scottish farmers to improve animal health policies.

Would you negotiate to retain Single Payments (or a version of) in the next version of the Common Agricultural Policy? Or should funds be shifted to Pillar Two?
We have commissioned an independent inquiry with industry representation to shape future farm payments.

The proposed interim model was of Single Payments determined mainly by area, with a top-up fund similar to Pillar Two principles.

We do not however share the UK position that Pillar One should be phased out entirely.

How would you encourage new entrants into farming?
The SNP Government is already doing the maximum for new entrants permitted by Europe. 

We introduced interest rate subsidies for new entrants into the Scotland Rural Development Programme and also added a set-up grant to the scheme.

How would you help farmers adopt measures that tackle climate change?
Our Climate Change Delivery Plan recognises the major contribution rural Scotland can make.

We are working with SAC to provide practical advice in key areas - fuels, renewable energy, carbon sinks, fertilisers and livestock management.

Livestock will continue to be at the heart of Scottish farming.

Would you encourage, domestically and at EU level, the growth of GM crops?
The SNP opposes the cultivation of GM crops in Scotland. We are committed to a clean and sustainable natural environment that makes any cultivation of GM crops unacceptable and undesirable. 

What would you do to encourage agricultural Research and Development (R&D) in the UK?
Scotland has been successful in securing competitive, publicly-funded research work, but has underperformed compared with the rest of the UK in private sector R&D in agriculture.

The SNP Government is trying to improve the skills base and create incentives in key competitive areas such as food and drink.

What is the single most important issue facing Scottish farmers?
The single most important issue is ensuring farming can continue to respond to and benefit from the marketplace.

We must support farmers so they can produce in the face of changes to demand, and changes to conditions.

The SNP will fight for the industry and a prosperous, successful future.

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