Scottish government's Rural Minister Fergus Ewing has calling on the UK government to seek a beef compensation package from the EU.

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, Ewing said: "Fifty million euro for Irish beef farmers from the EU. Where is Britain's compensation scheme? I have written to Michael Gove saying we should pursue a similar package as the Irish."

Beef pressure

Scottish farmers are currently receiving the lowest beef prices for three years and many farmers were hoping the minister would announce an increased budget for the Scottish beef calf scheme. But Fergus Ewing said he “could not and would not commit to making promises he couldn't deliver".

Lobby groups such as the Scottish Beef Association have been pushing hard to see the calf scheme more than double from its current €100/calf payment.

However, NFU Scotland have confirmed they would not back an enhanced beef calf scheme if the funding was to be top sliced from other farming recipients. They would only support higher payments if new non-farming funding was used.