This is what the White Paper has to say on the farming sector. It is very vague on how the lost CAP will be paid for in the event of independence. Its also totally unrealistic in its wish of reducing specifically Scottish compliance with European regulations on beasts if it can join the EU. :
"Agriculture Why we need a new approach: Scotland’s agriculture sector underpins the rural economy and our successful food and drink sector. Our farmers and crofters, in their stewardship of Scotland’s land, contribute greatly to our natural heritage, and support our environment and successful tourism sector. Scotland’s diverse agriculture ranges from small crofting enterprises to large intensive livestock and arable farms. Agriculture is also comparatively more important to the Scottish economy than to the UK’s as a whole, and it is distinctive. For instance, about 85 per cent of our land has “less favoured area” status compared with 15 per cent in England298. Scotland is also home to more than one quarter of the UK’s beef herd299. However, Scotland’s farmers and crofters have been repeatedly let down by Westminster governments which have failed to prioritise Scottish farming in domestic policies and, in European negotiations, and have argued and acted against Scotland's interests.
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The record of UK representation of Scottish Agriculture in Europe The interests of rural Scotland have been repeatedly traded off against other UK priorities in European Union (EU) negotiations where Scotland has no direct voice. Successive Westminster governments have argued for a significant reduction in agricultural support payments, despite Scotland’s already low share of funding and need for support given our geographical and climatic challenges. These payments are vital to ensure our farmers and crofters continue to produce food, deliver environmental benefits and sustain our rural communities. As a result of Westminster not sharing Scottish priorities, Scotland has the third lowest average direct payment per hectare in Europe300. Indeed, in the newly negotiated agricultural subsidies for 2014 to 2020 (Pillar 1 of the Common Agricultural Policy), Scotland will have a lower average rate per hectare than any other member state in Europe and than the rest of the UK301. In November 2013, the Westminster Government chose to disadvantage Scotland further by deciding, despite cross-party opposition in the Scottish Parliament, to distribute across all the countries of the UK over €220 million of agricultural subsidy
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uplift, received from the EU to promote convergence.The uplift is a direct consequence of Scotland’s lower payments, and should have been used to benefit Scottish farmers who have the lowest per hectare rates. The position is similar when it comes to support for rural development. As part of the UK, Scotland currently receives the lowest average payment rate per hectare of rural development funding in Europe (under Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy)302. This is because the Westminster Government does not prioritise this support in its negotiations in Europe, despite pressure from the Scottish Government to do so. The UK chose not to join 16 other countries in securing additional rural development funding. This could have provided vital funding for environmental schemes, rural facilities, food businesses and tourism projects, amongst others303. Not only has Westminster failed to negotiate a better deal for Scotland, but our position is getting comparatively worse304. This is something an independent Scottish Government can tackle directly as part of the next CAP negotiations, likely to commence around 2018. There is also the prospect of agricultural support being cut completely if Scotland remains in the UK. Scotland faces the possibility of leaving the EU because of Westminster’s planned in/out European referendum. If there is a vote to leave the EU, Scottish agriculture and our rural industries will no longer be part of the CAP and will be in the hands of a Westminster government with a stated policy of drastically reducing or even ending farm payments. The record of the Westminster Government on domestic agriculture policy Scottish farming not only suffers from poor representation in Europe, but also from Westminster’s failure to prioritise its interests in domestic policy in the areas where Westminster retains control. For example, levy income from livestock reared in Scotland but slaughtered south of the border is used to promote beef, lamb and pork from elsewhere, not Scottish beef, lamb and pork.
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The Westminster Government also has a poor record on responding to the needs of Scottish rural industries during times of crisis. For example, during spells of severe weather, or in relation to other animal welfare concerns, the UK Department of Transport required extensive and time-consuming lobbying by the industry and the Scottish Government before it agreed to relax rules on drivers’ hours. The Scotland we can create With the powers of independence, and direct representation in Europe, we can secure and grow Scottish agriculture’s place in our society and economy for the future. It is in our national interest that we retain the skills and capacity to produce food on our own land. Scotland’s priorities will be reflected by the actions of our negotiators in Europe, greatly improving our opportunities for funding and to ensure that EU policies are tailored to Scottish circumstances. Ministers in an independent Scotland will also be able to ensure that every department of government works to support rural Scotland when required. In areas where we agree with the Westminster Government, Scotland will be its ally in agriculture negotiations, increasing our combined negotiating strength, both in terms of votes and representation at the negotiating table. With independence, farmers and crofters will continue to receive CAP payments because the budget is already set until 2020. But, crucially, with independence Scotland will qualify for future member state funding increases. The choices open to us As an independent member state of the EU, Scotland will be able to promote directly our economic and social interests and protect our citizens by participating on equal terms with all other member states in EU affairs. Scottish Ministers will also gain direct access to their counterparts in other member states through bilateral meetings, which Westminster currently does not allow for agriculture. As a member state we will have the authority to deal directly with all European institutions and be treated as an equal partner.
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Common agricultural policy Direct Farming Support (Pillar 1 of CAP): If Scotland had been independent when the latest CAP budget was being decided, we would have benefited from a principle that by 2020 no member state would receive less than an average of €196 per hectare. This would have brought Scotland an extra €1 billion between 2014 and 2020. Rural Development Support (Pillar 2 of CAP): With independence, Scotland will be able to negotiate fairer allocations for rural development – similar to those achieved by many other member states. For example, despite having an area of agricultural land equal to around 25 per cent of that of the UK305, Ireland negotiated an allocation of almost €2 billion for rural development – almost 85 per cent of the total allocation for the UK306. Finland negotiated a €600 million uplift307. This demonstrates what independent countries similar in size to Scotland can achieve within EU negotiations when they are able to reflect their own needs and priorities. Our priorities for action The Scottish Government firmly believes that the only government capable of properly representing Scotland’s interests in the EU decision-making process is a government elected by, and directly accountable to, the people of Scotland. If we form that government we will: ?? provide a direct voice for Scotland’s farmers in Europe, and Scotland’s agriculture sector will be a priority for Scotland’s engagement with the EU. In the next round of CAP negotiations, Scotland’s interests will be directly represented. An independent Scotland can negotiate the best possible deal for Scotland’s farmers, crofters and rural communities. ?? use Scotland’s farming levies to promote Scottish produce. With independence, all levies for livestock raised in Scotland can be used to promote Scottish agriculture, not the produce of our competitors.
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?? reduce the burden of European livestock regulations. We will argue that Europe’s regulatory burden should be reduced in recognition of Scotland’s good animal health record and disease-free status. ?? support new entrants into agriculture. We will investigate how we can use fiscal measures to provide opportunities for new entrants to agriculture.