Easter Ross MP laments that Kate Forbes MSP rejected rural affairs brief as he bids to 'ease the burden of bureaucracy on farmers'

AN Easter Ross MP wants governments to 'ease the burden of bureaucracy on farmers' to reflect a growing trend in agriculture.

Jamie Stone today urged the government to implement a universal ear-tagging system for cattle across the UK.

The call comes in light of the observation that English farmers are more and more frequently travelling to Scotland to buy cattle, where before they may have reared their own.

Due to environmental pressures that mean English farmers are growing more hedgerows and bushes - and therefore keeping fewer cattle stock – English meat suppliers are now increasingly sourcing their cows from north of the border.

Mr Stone said:"Both Governments must do everything they can to ease the burden of bureaucracy on farmers. That means universalising simple things - like ear-tagging on cattle - so that trade between the borders is straightforward and that food supply chains across the Union are not disturbed.

"It is a great shame that Kate Forbes turned down the rural affairs brief. Forbes had an opportunity here to take up a position of power that would enable her to make a real difference for her constituents. Instead, the brief was cast aside as a demotion.

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"It's clear that the First Minister himself does not hold Rural Affairs, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands in such high regard, as it is the only cabinet secretary post to not have any ministers appointed. This is not a good start."

What they said:

Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross: "Mr Speaker, for the record, can I say how surprised and disappointed I was that the lady who was offered the Rural Affairs job in the Scottish Government turned it down because – as it has been reported – it was seen to be a demotion.

"I was born on a farm. My farmers and crofters are vital to the economy of my constituency. All over the UK, it's about feeding the nation. Now, in terms of feeding the nation, Mr Speaker, there is increased movement of cattle from Scotland to England.

"I won't go into the reasons why this is happening - the Minister will know this.Does the Minister agree with me that a universal electronic tagging scheme that matches the whole of the UK – perhaps including Northern Ireland - would greatly facilitate this sort of sale of livestock?"

Mark Spencer MP, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries: "I thank him for his question. I work closely with Mairi Gougeon in the Scottish Government. I know that she will probably be disappointed about being re-offered her job despite it being offered to somebody else, but we will continue to have a positive working relationship there.

"He is right to highlight the fact that cooperation across the Union is best for UK agriculture, best for UK food production, and I think systems of cattle moving across between England and Scotland need to flow as quickly and easily as possible so that that marketplace works efficiently for those farmers both sides of the border. "

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