McArthur calls for local consultation after greening measure pause  

Liam McArthur, Orkney’s MSP has today responded to news that the Scottish Government proposals to extend enhanced greening measures to areas of permanent grassland have been paused.   

The First Minister confirmed the pause following growing pressure from Orkney’s farming community.   

The news also follows a members’ debate led by Mr McArthur at the end of the previous parliamentary session in which he called on the Government to reconsider its approach to greening measures, highlighting the risk posed to the profitability of small island farms.   

Mr McArthur has today written to the Scottish Government seeking clarification around the pause and requesting further consultation is undertaken with the island farming sector about current and future greening measures, in response to the ongoing concerns that current measures are disproportionate.  

Commenting, Mr McArthur said:   

“Having repeatedly raised concerns about enhanced greening measures with the Scottish Government during the previous session, I welcome the First Minister’s indication that plans to extend the proposals to permanent grassland have been paused. That is the right thing to do.  

“Concerns remain, however, about the proportionality of current greening measures for Orkney farmers. The potential increase in the land requirement from 5% to 7% is a move that would risk the size and profitability of Orkney farms, especially when many EFA activities simply aren’t compatible with the local agricultural landscape.  

“I hope that the Scottish Government will use this pause to reflect on the importance of ensuring that any future policy works in an island context, rather than against it. I have lodged parliamentary questions seeking more clarity on the government’s intentions, and have also written to the government asking for assurances that meaningful engagement with the sector in Orkney will now take place.”