THERE IS to be an independent review into the distribution of EU convergence cash, it has been confirmed.
Defra minister Michael Gove agreed to the review during a meeting with Scottish rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing.
“I am pleased that we reached agreement on a way forward on this longstanding issue,” said Mr Ewing. “Mr Gove and I agreed to establish an independent review of convergence funding, to make recommendations on what should happen in the future.
“We also committed to agreeing the review’s remit, timescales, process and personnel by the end of the year. I welcome this much needed progress. Without it, we risk this long-standing injustice once again being kicked into the long grass in which it has lain for the past few years.
“Clearly, we are still some way off from having the £160 million due to Scottish farming, returned – that remains my objective,” he added. “As I have repeatedly said, our claim is against the UK Government, not the hard working farmers in other parts of the UK. It is about righting a clear wrong and setting a baseline for future agricultural funding with the UK.”