The hard-won right to raise CAP coupled payments to 13% in Scotland is an opportunity to address the country's critical livestock production issues in an imaginative and innovative way, to the benefit of the whole industry, says the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).
"The Cabinet Secretary's determination and persistence in refusing to give up on the 13% argument has delivered a potential lifeline for the future of Scotch beef and lamb," said SAMW president, Alan McNaughton. "This breakthrough, of course, comes with the challenge of how to apply the enhanced coupled payment to maximum effect. It will have to be manageable and avoid market distortion, with simplicity and practicality being important policy keynotes.
"With the implementation of the last CAP Reform having resulted in the steady erosion of beef and lamb production in Scotland, it is vital that the conclusion of the current support package is much more in tune with the industry's needs and aspirations.
"SAMW is encouraged by the depth of consultation surrounding the use of the 13% ruling, seeing this as a genuine attempt to secure the very best solution for Scotland within a framework which also satisfies UK and EU requirements concerning future support structures for our industry. We also see a cattle development package under pillar 2 as a potentially valuable device to increase the efficiency, productivity and profitability of the Scottish industry.
"Along with all other industry bodies we are determined to grab the revised lifeline which is now on offer for Scotland. This is a real and valuable chance to move our industry forward."
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
