Scotland

The gap between agricultural policy could grow on either side of the Scottish border post-2024, as England moved towards environmental payments while Scotland was set to retain the ‘known quantity’ of the Basic Payment Scheme.

The PM must negotiate a three to six-month adjustment period as part of any EU trade deal, so farmers have time to prepare for the new relationship, says Mike Rumbles, North East Scotland MSP.

In an increasingly competitive environment for research funding, directors at the Moredun Research Institute raised concerns around future access to Scottish Government funding in a recent press briefing.

It has been the question on many people’s lips in recent months but this week Royal Highland Show organisers announced the event will go ahead in 2021.

Versatile and hardy, the Border Leicester is proving itself as the primary commercial sire for one growing flock in Peeblesshire. Hannah Park finds out more.

UK ministers have been urged to negotiate a seven-year derogation from EU scrapie rules to allow the trade in breeding sheep between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) to continue.

Ministers from the devolved nations have called for assurances that all EU funding for the countryside will be fully replaced, after it emerged Treasury proposals would see rural budgets slashed by more than £455m.

The UK’s internal market will not be distorted if Scottish farmers keep their direct payments after Brexit, Defra Secretary George Eustice has said.

Changes to the distribution of red meat levy across England, Wales and Scotland to reflect the country of production rather than slaughter have been strongly welcomed by industry.

The Scottish Government has laid out its new regulations for farming ahead of the end of the EU Transition period on December 31.