If restoring the Government’s credibility in farming circles is part of Fergus Ewing’s remit, the vibes at yesterday’s Royal Highland Show would indicate that he’s making some headway.
After the industry’s long winter of discontent the new Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy tackled every lingering farming issue with a confident “can do” attitude when he addressed the show’s first big meat industry breakfast.
Farming’s great and good even appeared to forgive him for being half an hour late when he announced the Government would be consulting on seeking negligible risk status for BSE this summer, a status that would save the industry £1 million in processing costs and open up important new markets like the United States.
“This is a tremendous opportunity,” he said.
“Clearly there are hurdles to overcome, we need to give careful consideration to all the risks this might entail and there is a long process ahead of us. But the consultation is a signal of how I want to do business with the sector.”
Among the list of seven issues he plans to tackle, Mr Ewing pledged to “do something” about gold plating of farming rules; tackle rural planning restraints; “look hard” at the supply chain to ensure producers feel they are more valued; and “help” to attract new entrants into farming.
He said he hoped Britain would remain in the EU but he wanted to improve many processes as they applied to farming.
“I want to strip the gold veneer off the plate. I pledge my support on that.”
He has already written to DEFRA farming minister, George Eustice, calling on the UK Government to bring forward legislation to give Scotland a fairer share of the red meat levy raised from farmers and tackle the long running grievance over the Westminster’s distribution of EU convergence funding.
Mr Ewing promised to work with all political parties to achieve the best for the industry and resolve longstanding issues “sooner rather than later”.
“This isn’t a party political matter. I’m not interested in party politics. I’m interested in getting the job done and that is what we are determined to do.”
NFU Scotland (NFUS) appeared to be won over by the cabinet secretary’s “new broom” approach. Union president, Allan Bowie described Mr Ewing as a “can do person”.
But he added: “We now need him to deliver and he realises that.”
