Cabinet Secretary – 11 February 2014

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary gave what many consider to be his most important speech of his year, in his keynote address to the NFU Scotland AGM in St Andrews on Tuesday 11th February.
Listen to Richard Lochheads keynote address to NFUS AGM

He paid tribute to the Union's successful centenary year. He stressed how important agriculture was to the Scottish economy and turned to a new chapter.

Being in St Andrews he noted how the St Andrews cross took us to a crossroads.
Old ways or new?
CAP brings major change that all of us face together. He pledged to do everything within his power to make this as easy as possible.

He praised how close collaboration had delivered results in the period after the severe blow that came with the closure of Halls of Broxburn.
The Cabinet Secretary announced a £2.7m grant for Brechin abattoir where that will allow throughput to double.

The bad news caused by Two Sisters restructuring has been met by
He referenced desire intimated to him by retailers to sell Scottish poultry.

A stringer red meat sector was boosted by Scottish Government supported Wham Bam Slam in the Lamb campaign.

A survey of Scots 94% want Scottish red meat.
Need clear and accurate food labelling. Going to launch a clear label campaign and be vigilant. Resilience is an issue and vital to get the correct support mechanism in place.

When decoupling was introduced in 2003
Moving away from historic payments.
My decision to limit
We need to look forward to 2015. Consultation closes soon.
Scottish Government looking for win win situations.
1. Activity – where none or token, there must be no payments. Detailed plans as to how to this will work. Know that this is key, promised full frontal assault.
2. Payment regions: these can be complex and difficult. Split rough grazing into two regions will be considered.
3. Issue of transition. Some farmers say quicker will be the fairest. Others got high payments because they were highly active but not looking at cuts. Problem here because support is not linked to production.
Beef will be at the front of the queue and seeking 13% support here. Will push this door open as far as it will go. Want to help farmers supported by CAP payments.
4. Role of Pillar 2 to help farming changes.

CAP reform is far from perfect. Richard Lochhead said we need a CAP that supports dirty wellies, not comfy slippers.

There has been a very poor budget settlement and he attacked the UK government's poor negotiations with Europe.

Report tackling red tape from Brian Pack will be supported by minister with announcement due at Turriff Show later this year.

Suffer from a big disadvantage, UK government took from 2012 until December 2013 before it submitted paper to allow Scotch Beef into the Japanese market. This led him into a plea for support for a Yes vote. This and the entire address can be heard at the above link.