Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont has joined in with a call for the UK Government to review the convergence uplift and assess how the UK Government can ensure Scottish farmers receive a fair settlement.
His Scottish Conservative colleague, Alister Jack MP for Dumfries and Galloway has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove on the issue.
Mr Jack’s letter received the support of all Scottish Conservative MPs and urged the UK’s Environment Secretary to appoint an independent figure to consider the issue of the convergence uplift and report back speedily with specific recommendations.
The UK qualified for additional funds for farmers – the convergence uplift – from the EU thanks to the nature of the farming industry in Scotland.
An independent review would consider ways to reflect that in future arrangements for farming support.
John Lamont MP said: “Farmers in the Borders have welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to guarantee the current level of farm support until the end of the parliament in 2022, but some have rightly been concerned with how this convergence money was distributed. There is a view, which I sympathise with, that this funding decision should be looked at again.”
“For too long, the SNP have been grandstanding on this issue, rather than offering constructive suggestions, which has resulted in Scottish farmers not receiving a single extra penny in support. Put simply, the Scottish Government’s approach has not worked.
“Instead, I and my Scottish Conservative colleagues are working hard to find a solution.”