Peter Chapman: I welcome “Ambition 2030” and its ambition to grow and double our food and drink industry by 2030. That could mean a great deal to our fantastic food and drink industry. However, the strategy does not mention a single policy providing support for profitability and the sustainability of our farmers. What is the Government doing to rebalance the food chain to ensure that the producer gets a...
Peter Chapman: 2. I remind the Parliament of my entry in the register of members’ interests. To ask the Scottish Government what policies it is implementing to support the development and progression of the farming industry. (S5O-01276)
Peter Chapman: 4. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the fish processing industry. (S5O-01338)
Peter Chapman: We expect increased tonnages of fish landings post-Brexit, so it is very concerning that, between 2008 and 2016 in Scotland, there was a 34 per cent decline in fish processing factories and a 12 per cent decline in people employed processing fish. Those fish are being driven to areas such as Grimsby where there are significantly lower business rates and running costs. There seems to be no...
Peter Chapman: The debate is about wild animals, so for once I do not need to declare an interest. [ Laughter .] To be honest, when I am in a pen with a newly calved coo, I sometimes think that I would be better off with a lion. I wonder why the bill is being pushed through Parliament, as Scotland has not seen a travelling circus that uses wild animals for many years; there is no possibility that we will...
Peter Chapman: I refer members to my entry in the register of interests regarding my farming business, and I thank the cabinet secretary for prior sight of his statement. Let me be clear that we on the Conservative benches still support the idea that this money should have come to Scotland. I have personally raised the issue with David Mundell, Andrea Leadsom, George Eustice and Michael Gove over the past...
Peter Chapman: Once again, I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests as far as farming is concerned. I will bring a bit of positive thinking into today’s debate, which seems to have been brought to the Parliament by the SNP as another opportunity to continue criticism of the UK Government. I acknowledge that the Brexit vote brings uncertainty, but I also welcome the opportunities...
Peter Chapman: I will move on. Our fishing sector is one of the most important sectors of Scotland’s food industry. The industry has the potential to flourish post-Brexit and the Scottish Government should be grasping that opportunity with both hands. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has been extremely vocal about the sea of opportunity that exists post-Brexit. The SFF has stated: “The catching...
Peter Chapman: Absolutely.
Peter Chapman: I absolutely have. I recognise that many of the employees come from the EU, which is why we are working hard to allow them to continue to come in. As far as farming is concerned, I understand the uncertainty that the industry faced upon the news that we would be leaving the EU, especially here in Scotland. With less favoured area land making up 85 per cent of our farmland, maybe we have more...
Peter Chapman: —that Brexit can bring to those key industries in Scotland, but I make it clear that I strongly disagree with the Scottish Government’s current position.
Peter Chapman: At a time when the UK should be united and strong in our desire for the best possible deal for everyone, the SNP is continuing to berate and undermine the UK negotiations at every opportunity.
Peter Chapman: I would just like to say—
Peter Chapman: I will close.
Peter Chapman: I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests in relation to farming. I thank those members whose opening speeches have highlighted the great water resources that we have here in Scotland and highlighted that today’s debate is a consensual one. Scotland has the wettest climate in the United Kingdom, which many farmers are all too aware of after this season’s...
Peter Chapman: I am glad to speak in the debate, because forestry is a vital part of our rural economy. Scotland’s forestry sector currently contributes some £954 million per year to the economy, and supports 26,000 jobs. I believe, however, that we can do better. Planting more trees will secure the long-term supply of productive timber, create new jobs in rural areas, help Scotland to meet vital climate...
Peter Chapman: I agree that there is a debate to be had. In the past, one was either a farmer or a forester, and the two did not go together. We need to try to break down those barriers. I accept much of what has been said on that. Given that I have spoken about agriculture, I need to declare an interest. I did not think that I was going to stray into that area, but here we are: I have already done it. I...
Peter Chapman: Where was I? I have lost my place. It makes sense that we work together within the UK to ensure the health of our trees and to co-operate to stamp out disease; for example, on the spread of larch disease, which I have spoken about previously. The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Scottish Government develop an amendment to the bill to strengthen from a power to a...
Peter Chapman: Good luck with that.
Peter Chapman: 2. I declare an interest as a partner in a farming business. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle reported falling farm incomes and rising farm debt. (S5O-01416)