AN industry working group created by the Scottish Government to help shape long-term farming policy and consider proposals for post-Brexit agricultural subsidies has met for the first time.

The body has been established to examine proposals for a new UK Government agricultural payment system which will replace the current one run by the EU. It will also consider wider challenges facing the sector.

It is intended that the views of producers, consumers and environmental organisations will be considered in the policy process. Members of the group include representatives of the National Union of Farmers, Quality Meat Scotland, Food and Drink Scotland, the Citizens Advice Scotland, the RSPB as well as individual dairy and fruit farmers.

Recommendations by the group will be made over the course of next year and are expected to meet six guiding principles – of sustainability, simplicity, profitability, innovation, inclusion and productivity – set out by the Scottish Government in January.

Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing convened yesterday’s meeting which took place at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, near Edinburgh.

“People are the food and farming industry’s greatest resource so I am delighted that such an array of talented, experienced and knowledgeable people has agreed to join this group,” he said.

“It will provide its views and expertise to support Scottish Government officials in making recommendations on future farming and food production policy built around the six principles set out earlier this year to Parliament.”

He added: “Scotland’s landscape and climate provide us with an unrivalled natural larder.

“We need to develop policies which support both to ensure that our status as a high quality producer of food is maintained and grows.

“Crucially, we need an integrated approach that will ensure that Scotland’s land assets play their part in responding to and mitigating the global climate emergency. I look forward to hearing the proposals.”

Farmers in Scotland currently receive subsidies from the European Union through the Common Agriculture Policy.

The UK Government plans to introduce a seven-year transition period for farmers’ funding from 2021, during which direct payments from the state will be reduced and tied more closely to delivering environmental and other “public” goods. The Environmental Land Management scheme will replace EU basic farm payments.

Scottish LibDem rural economy spokesman Mike Rumbles welcomed the creation of the group.

“The Scottish Liberal Democrats have been calling for this group to be formed since 2016,” he said.

“It is absolutely critical that rural support funding, that presently comes to Scotland through the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, is secure if the UK leaves the EU.

“This is a great opportunity to build a new system that works specifically to the strengths of Scotland’s rural economy.

“The best way to do that is to get organisations that have the most expertise and understanding of our rural economy round a table to design a bespoke system. Giving them a full ‘buy-in’ to the final scheme.

“I’m delighted that the Cabinet Secretary has announced the complete list of members today and I look forward to hearing the outcome of the first meeting of the group very soon.”

Last year Ewing raised concerns about the post Brexit subsidy system being proposed by the UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove saying it left “too many

questions unanswered”.