NFU SCOTLAND'S postponed meeting with Defra ministers went ahead this week, with officeholders and staff travelling to Westminster to seek recognition of the "unique requirements" of the Scottish agricultural industry.

Union president Andrew McCornick and vice president Gary Mitchell, accompanied by policy director Jonnie Hall and parliamentary officer Clare Slipper, met with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andrea Leadsom, Defra Minister George Eustice and Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell.

Securing the right Brexit deal for Scottish farmers and crofters was still top of the agenda at the meeting –rescheduled after the original appointment was abandoned amidst the security clampdown following the terrorist incident on March 22 – with the union also pressing the UK Government to commit to continued funding to enable a smooth transition as the industry faces the challenges and opportunities of a post-Brexit world.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr McCornick said: “With a General Election now weeks away, all parties will find their records on delivering for Scottish agriculture and the food and drink sectors under scrutiny.

"We continue to press on the UK Government the importance of committing to longer term funding and its fair allocation across the UK. That will be key to winning the confidence of Scottish farmers and crofters, and a clear indication that their needs are being heard in the Brexit negotiations.

"At the meeting, the Ministers outlined their vision for farming and food, that it should thrive across all parts of the United Kingdom and that they are committed in their desire to deliver that," reported Mr McCornick.

"We are looking to both Westminster and Holyrood to restore confidence and certainty to all Scotland's farmers and crofters through agreeing a necessary and meaningful transition. The discussion with Ministers at Westminster today gave us the opportunity to reiterate our position that any successor policy should be funded on a UK-wide common financial framework, but with policy development and delivery kept within the mainstay of the devolved administrations.

“It is concerning that, nearly one month in to the two-year Article 50 process, Scottish farmers and crofters still remain in the dark about how a future agricultural policy will be both delivered and funded in three short years’ time," he added.

“What we need urgently is genuine discussion on the policy instruments and funding mechanisms that will lead to a well-funded, refreshed agricultural policy that delivers for all parts of the UK.”

Union vice president Martin Kennedy was also in London on Wednesday, attending a roundtable meeting of UK stakeholders, facilitated by NFU England and Wales, where Brexit and the future of agricultural policy were on the agenda.