Environmental priorities for Scottish agriculture considered by Committee

26 February 2019

The Scottish Affairs Committee asks environmental groups about how environmental principles and protection could be prioritised in post-Brexit Scottish agricultural policy, and how innovation might drive forward sustainable Scottish farming.

Purpose of the session

Following the UK's departure from the EU, the UK will no longer be bound by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a new UK wide framework agreement will need to be created to manage agricultural policy in the UK and the devolved nations. The Scottish Affairs Committee will meet with environmental stakeholders to consider how any new UK wide framework, or Scotland specific agricultural policy can protect the environment and adhere to environmental principles.

The Committee will also ask witnesses about the implications of the Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill and the creation of the independent environmental watchdog. Questions will focus on whether the UK & Scottish Governments should co-design a UK-wide governance scheme or if the Scottish Government should establish its own.

Additionally, the session will focus on how innovative farming technologies can help to make farms more sustainable, and how new agricultural policies can promote and fund the use of these technologies.

Witnesses

Tuesday 26 February 2019, Committee Room 8

At 10.15am

Bruce Wilson, Public Affairs Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust
Sheila George, Food and Environment Policy Manager, WWF Scotland
Professor Colin Reid, Professor of Environmental Law, University of Dundee
Aoife Behan, Director, Soil Association Scotland

Further information

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