Lochhead misses a chance for CAP inquiry input

SCOTLAND will not have any formal representation in a major inquiry on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) because ministers in Holyrood failed to make a valid submission.

The Commons select committee on environment, food and rural affairs is about to start an inquiry on the controversial CAP and had asked for evidence from around the UK.

But the Scottish Government failed to make an application in time to give formal evidence, although farming issues are part of its devolved responsibilities.

Instead, Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead sent a report it commissioned from industry expert Brian Pack.

However, the report was ruled as inadmissible, because it was not official policy.

An attempt was made to have further imput on Monday, after committee member Thomas Docherty, Labour MP for Dunfermline and Fife West, warned Mr Lochhead about the exclusion. But yesterday the committee decided it was too late to find space.

Yesterday the Scottish Government and the other devolved admistrations sent a joint letter to tDefra putting forward their priorities on CAP reform.