Lukewarm response to report

While giving a general welcome to the Scottish Dairy Review, published this week providing a vision of increasing milk output from Scottish farms rising 50 per cent in little more than the next decade, MEP George Lyon claimed there was no comment on what would happen if Scotland became independent, writes Andrew Arbuckle.

“Dairy farmers in Scotland need answers on what independence would mean for their businesses,” he said.

The report, published by the Scottish Government said that 92 per cent of Scottish milk was sold in the UK at present and only 8 per cent went to export markets.

“This is an interesting report that makes some sensible suggestions for the industry, but by ignoring the risks of independence it leaves something of a sour taste in the mouth,” said Lyon..

“Putting up barriers for our farmers could have a significant impact on Scotland’s dairy sector.”