The measures might sound green and virtuous but, as NFU Scotland, which is at the heart of agriculture in Scotland, points out, cramming in more EFAs—ecological focus areas—

“risks undermining mixed and grass-based systems”

as well as hurting small herds and crofts and damaging food production and farm viability, not to mention piling on paperwork and inspection burdens. Greening under tier 2 was once sold as a bold, flexible and farmer-friendly way to deliver climate and biodiversity outcomes with multiple options, but the reality is now very different.

I still have a nagging doubt that the miserable information technology system that we all know so much about is the real reason for the lack of options that are before us today. We now have policy by drip feed from a Government that is on life support, relying on legacy support and limping on while the future policy framework remains undefined, underfunded and unclear. That is not leadership.

The Scottish Conservatives, including me, believe that farming deserves better rural support. It deserves multi-annual funding, real clarity, respect for those who work the land and even really radical stuff such as support for food production. Perhaps the SNP should stop hiding behind green labels and deliver the support it promised, or step aside and let those who value food—Scotland’s rural communities—get on with the real work.