Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 07 November 2024
07 Nov 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Brexit (Impact on Rural Economy)
We really have to clear some things up. It is very difficult for the Scottish Government to give a commitment on multiyear funding, which we would love to do. Guess what—before Brexit, we had that: we had a seven-year programme that we could commit to, and we knew what was coming down the line. [Interruption.] I am sorry, Presiding Officer—I would like to make my point.
The former Tory Government could have decided to provide the Scottish Government with multiyear funding, but it did not. It committed to engaging with the Scottish Government on how the allocations would come to us, but it did not do that, which is why we are in the position that we are in. We will continue to do all that we are doing for Scottish farmers and crofters to protect them throughout all the changes as much as possible.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-15253, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on Brexit impacts on Scotland’s rural economy. I invite members who ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
The opportunity to have this debate is both welcome and timely, given the lingering effects of Brexit and what can only be described as a perfect storm of po...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I question the cabinet secretary’s being selective with her facts. She points out that the Labour Government chose to ignore the Bew review when it came to f...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I would have thought that the member who raises that point would have understood the Bew review recommendations and what was left outstanding. Again, that is...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Can the cabinet secretary tell the Parliament why the Scottish National Party did not pursue one of its flagship manifesto commitments to set up a Scottish v...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back for the interventions, cabinet secretary.
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
The former UK Government slashed our capital, which meant that we could no longer take that proposal forward. I wrote a letter to the Rural Affairs and Islan...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I advise members that there is a little bit of time in hand; certainly members will get the time back if they take interventions. I would be grateful if memb...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a farmer and a former land agent. I welcome the debate, which gives me a...
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Tim Eagle
Con
I will take an intervention.
Angus Robertson
SNP
I am sympathetic to the criticism that Tim Eagle outlined in relation to recent decisions by the UK Labour Government. For the record, and for members of the...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, Mr Eagle.
Tim Eagle
Con
I am in favour of any agreement by which we can get the best outcome that we can, but we need to discuss the positives of Brexit, because that was the democr...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Angus Robertson
SNP
Was that a yes?
Tim Eagle
Con
Yes—I will take an intervention from Mairi Gougeon.
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I would appreciate Tim Eagle’s views on an article that was published earlier this week, which said that the “Worst of ... Brexit ... is still to come”. ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I encourage members not to shout from a sedentary position. As I said, there are ample opportunities for interventions. If you want to make an intervention, ...
Tim Eagle
Con
I love the passion that is being shown about farming, and I will always love that. I guess that I find it a little hard to take criticism that comes from a p...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Tim Eagle
Con
Absolutely.
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
We really have to clear some things up. It is very difficult for the Scottish Government to give a commitment on multiyear funding, which we would love to do...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I suggest that interventions need to be slightly briefer. I will give you the time back, Tim Eagle.
Tim Eagle
Con
I beg to differ with the cabinet secretary, as I think that you did have that in place—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Speak through the chair, Mr Eagle.
Tim Eagle
Con
I apologise, Presiding Officer. Jim Walker, former president of NFU Scotland, said earlier this year: “Scottish farmers have been waiting three years for s...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Tim Eagle
Con
Do I have time, Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Probably not, at this stage.