Yesterday, following a Scottish Parliament debate, the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill passed stage three, unanimously backed by MSPs.
As a result of Brexit, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will cease to apply. This bill will allow Scottish ministers to ensure CAP funding can continue into 2021 in Scotland, providing some certainty for the coming months.
For now, this gives us the legal framework to ensure that there is support in place for our farmers, and given the current uncertainties faced, anything which provides some stability is surely welcome.
However whether this is sufficient for the longer term will remain to be seen.
The Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill has passed Stage 3, following a debate in the Scottish Parliament. The Bill creates powers that enable Scottish Ministers to ensure the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can continue beyond this year, as well as retaining the ability to make improvements to the scheme following Brexit. It also improves the legal basis for collecting information about the agri-food supply chain and activities relating to agriculture.
https://www.gov.scot/news/continuing-cap-for-scotlands-farmers/
