THERE are ten key post-Brexit questions that policymakers for rural Scotland must ask themselves.

These questions form the basis of a new booklet produced by the Rural Policy Centre at Scotland’s Rural College and the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University to highlight the 'unique challenges' facing rural Scotland following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

The questions are:

• Under the devolved Scottish Government how can policy makers best contribute to the creation of a new vision for rural Scotland?;

• Where should responsibility for governance of rural policy lie and how should it be structured?;

• Would a more formal system of land use planning ensure better outcomes for Scotland’s rural economy after Brexit?;

• How can support for disadvantaged and more remote rural areas be sustained and targeted to enable them to reach their full potential?;

• How can the supply of public goods be maintained?;

• How can we ensure that rural areas in Scotland are effectively digitally connected after Brexit?;

• How can we ensure that the rural-urban linkages of Scotland are considered post Brexit?;

• How can the needs of Scottish agriculture and crofting be addressed?;

• What are the likely consequences of Brexit for the Scottish food and drink industries?;

• What are the implications of Brexit for labour supply in Scotland?

Manager of SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre, Dr Jane Atterton, said: “As a result of Brexit, Scotland has the opportunity to devise a fresh vision for the future of its rural areas and to design new policies to deliver that vision to the benefit of both rural and urban Scotland.

"This vision must take into account the unique characteristics, challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s rural economies and communities, many of which we discuss in this document, including future governance arrangements, the need to ensure that everyone is digitally connected, tackling persistent disadvantage and maximising the benefits of rural-urban linkages.

"This booklet asks key questions and provides essential food for thought for those responsible for leading Scotland’s rural policy following Brexit.”