Pressure is mounting from opposition politicians on the Scottish Government to publish when responses to the Agriculture Bill consultation will be available.
A government spokesperson said they were ‘committed to providing as much detail and clarity to the sector as possible, as early as possible’. Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary, Rachael Hamilton MSP, urged the government to ‘fully commit’ to publishing the ag-bill consultation responses as soon as possible following assurances from Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, that they aim to publish respondents views in spring, 2023.
She said the commitment does not go far enough, adding: “Given the endless dithering and delaying that has occurred for years in relation to a future vision for agriculture in Scotland.
"The consultation has now been closed for over two months and the agriculture sector is well beyond the end of their tether at the lack of clarity on what the future holds for them.”
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“Only aiming to have them published in the spring is another sign of this SNP-Green government failing to act with any urgency when it comes to supporting the agricultural sector. This government should be working at pace to guarantee these crucial responses will be published as quickly as possible for the wider public to see."
Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, pointed out: “The Scottish Government has a clear vision for Scotland as a global leader in sustainable and regenerative farming and we are developing policy proposals to help deliver this vision through our new Agriculture Bill, to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later this year.
“This Bill will underpin Scottish agricultural policy for generations to come and the public consultation on this closed in December. We are carefully considering the responses to the consultation.
"Given the importance of the Bill and our commitment to listening to the sector and all others eager to see a vibrant rural Scotland, it is only right that we analyse these responses carefully and thoroughly, and use the findings to shape it as appropriate.
“The consultation responses will be published in due course and in line with all government consultations.”
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