SCOTLAND's stand-off with Westminster over the future of farm support policy can only end if both sides cede some ground.

Appealing for an end to the impasse, NFU Scotland this week suggested that the Scottish Government ask to be included in the UK Agriculture Bill now on the table in London – but only once that legislation is amended to answer 'legitimate concerns' about Westminster retaining power to impose financial constraints on Scotland's future agricultural policy.

In letters sent to Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove, and Scottish rural economy Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing, union president Andrew McCornick called for 'meaningful progress to break the current political log jam' between both governments on how to agree future policy, financial frameworks and repatriation of powers.

Commenting, NFUS director of policy Jonnie Hall said: “Less than five months from Brexit, our members are desperate for certainty and confidence. The politicisation of the process has, so far, been unhelpful and we must see meaningful progress between the two governments soon.

“We need the very best outcomes for Scottish agriculture, so it is vital that both Holyrood and Westminster act with urgency and establish a satisfactory outcome for all sides. The real prize from exiting the EU is to move away from the CAP, while developing and implementing new agricultural policies that are bespoke to the unique and differing needs of the UK. This will only happen if both governments break the current impasse and play their respective and complementary roles."

He added: “If the Scottish Government were to take up the offer of having a Schedule inserted into the Bill, that would provide the necessary legal basis upon which Scotland could continue beyond Brexit with agricultural policies with very similar objectives and operations to existing measures, such as Voluntary Coupled Support and the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme.

“It is equally clear to us that such an option would only be taken up by Scottish Government if the Bill is amended to reflect the legitimate concerns of Scottish Government as regards the potential for the UK Secretary of State to have the power to impose financial constraints on Scottish agricultural policy in areas of devolved competency. Legal advice taken by NFU Scotland has lent support to the Scottish Government’s position on this particular aspect."