The uncertainties surrounding agriculture and fisheries in a post-Brexit world and how the UK will deliver a ‘green Brexit’ will be raised by two Holyrood Committees as they hear from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP next week.
Sadly, there won’t be an opportunity for members of the public to welcome the Minister to the capital – the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee and the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee will be taking evidence from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs via video conferencing next Wednesday (27 June).
The meeting will focus on agriculture, environment and fisheries policies and frameworks, what they will include and when they will be agreed. The Secretary of State will be asked about potential common frameworks and how they might be arrived at and operated.
MSPs across both Holyrood Committees will also be looking for clarity on funds for agriculture, fisheries and the environment to replace EU funding in the future.
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee Convener, Graeme Dey MSP, said: “There are many unknowns and unanswered questions on life after Brexit and whether this will leave gaps in laws that protect our environment, such as tackling air pollution, protecting animal welfare and stopping the overwhelming number of plastics harming the marine environment.
“Our meeting with Michael Gove is an important opportunity to find out what we may lose when we leave the EU, and what solutions will be put in place to ensure environmental principles that underpin policy, legislation and environmental protections are not weakened.”
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee Convenor, Edward Mountain MSP, said: “We welcome the opportunity to hear from Michael Gove at the committee and we look forward to exploring the issues and solutions around agriculture and fisheries.
“These industries are of huge significance to the rural economy in Scotland and it is essential that we receive clarity on how Brexit will impact them, and to ensure Scotland’s standards and systems are maintained and protected after the UK leaves the EU. It is also essential to be clear on the systems of payments in Scotland post Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to support our farmers across the country.”
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