Speculation is growing that new Defra Secretary Michael Gove will attend next week’s Royal Highland Show.
It is expected he will address a high profile industry breakfast on the second day of the event, although a Defra spokeswoman would only confirm that his attendance was “being considered”.
Scotland’s Rural Secretary, Fergus Ewing is already scheduled to speak at Quality Meat Scotland’s Thursday breakfast and the speaker at the Friday event has been billed as a “prominent politician from the Westminster Government”.
The farming unions north and south of the Border congratulated Mr Gove on his appointment and wasted no time in emphasising the need for urgent progress on Brexit.
NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick described the show as an “ideal opportunity” for him to engage with a wide range of stakeholders from the Scottish farming industry.
“The Union has benefited from regular meetings with the Scottish Secretary of State, David Mundell, and the Farming Minister George Eustice over the past year. With their reappointment, we look forward to picking up where we left off and we would welcome early discussions on the way forward,” he said.
English NFU president Meurig Raymond sent an open letter to the new Secretary of State insisting his members needed “certainty” that the Government would make Brexit a success for British food and farming.
He said: “British farms grow the raw ingredients for the UK food and drink manufacturing sector, the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, worth £109 billion and providing 3.8 million jobs. Farming is of enormous value to the economy – for every £1 invested, farming delivers around £7 back to this country. British farmers are proud to provide over 60% of the nation’s food and manage 70% of UK landscape.”
Mr Raymond added that the industry could deliver more and was looking to Defra to champion the industry and work with the devolved Governments.
“To achieve our potential, we need a future post-Brexit trade arrangement that delivers the best possible access to the vital EU market, as well as continued access to a competent and reliable workforce. With your experience in reforming policy environments we look forward to working with you to create a new wider policy framework that better delivers for British food and farming – and for our nation.”
Mr Raymond also asked for the Government’s support on Bovine TB eradication and the the reauthorisation of glyphosate.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
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