Fergus Ewing, the Scottish cabinet secretary for the rural economy and connectivity, told the Scottish Meat Processors (SAMW) that it is “no, no, no” to a New Zealand model for Scottish farming.

He said farmers and crofters are the custodians of the landscape and should not be taken for granted. Without them there would be land abandonment which would leave the Scottish landscape looking very different, Ewing said.

He was also of the view that it would be impossible to develop a new agriculture policy for the UK (and Scotland) and suggested that the present policy be rolled over until new policy is developed.

Policy

Unsurprisingly for a Scottish National Party member, he argued strongly that a new policy for Scottish agriculture should be developed in Scotland.

Mindful that it was an audience of factory owners and managers, he was fulsome in his praise of their role, comparing them to the pipeline that brings the oil and gas from the North Sea. Farmers might not be quite as benevolent, particularly with the recent introduction of penalties on heavy cattle, something that has been a major controversy in Ireland.

However, where there is a real difference with Ireland is in factory prices paid to farmers, with R3 steers making £3.65/kg last week, the equivalent of €4.38/kg. Scotland is traditionally the highest-value beef market of major beef-producing nations in the world.

Listen to an interview with Minister Ewing below:

Listen to "Minister Fergus Ewing discusses Brexit for Scotland" on Spreaker.