ONE area where devolution could do with strengthening is in disease control, for both livestock and cropping systems.
Unless Scotland is able to control ‘imports’ of cattle and seed potatoes, for example, then a serious outbreak of TB in cattle or a range of bacterial diseases in potatoes is inevitable.
Under current EU rules, a legislative programme is unlikely, if not impossible. Therefore, a voluntary approach is a necessity, and if that involves naming and shaming those who put our livestock and plant health in danger then so be it.
And, as we stumble onwards towards Brexit, we would do well to insist on some sort of official border control!