Whiteford Tackles Prime Minister on Support for Agriculture

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has tackled Prime Minister David Cameron on support for Scottish agriculture.

The SNP’s Westminster spokesperson on agriculture raised the matter at Prime Minister’s Questions this week asking Mr Cameron to explain why by 2019 Scottish farmers will be receiving the lowest level of support per hectare in the European Union.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Dr Whiteford asked Mr Cameron:

“When the Prime Minister goes up to Scotland later this week, will he explain to our agricultural producers and rural communities why by 2019 we will be receiving the lowest level of support per hectare not just of any country in the UK, but of any country in the whole EU? Perhaps that explains why he does not want to publish his secret poll on support for independence.”

In response, the Prime Minister said:

“On my visit to Scotland I will be explaining how Scotland is better off inside the United Kingdom. We have all the negotiating power of the United Kingdom around the table to get a good deal for Scotland, whereas of course an independent Scotland would have to queue up behind other countries to get back into the European Union. Specifically on agriculture, because of the hard work of my right hon. Friend the agriculture Secretary, we are ensuring that there will be extra support for Scottish farmers, which is absolutely in line with what the Scottish Government have been asking for.”

Commenting on the response, Dr Whiteford said:

“The Prime Minister makes a great play of saying we’re better off as part of the UK but the truth is that it is the United Kingdom Government which has negotiated the worst possible deal for rural Scotland.”