Lochhead promises Scotland will be heard

SCOTLAND'S voice will be heard loud and clear in EU negotiations to determine the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Cabinet secretary for rural affairs pledged yesterday.

Although the UK government will negotiate on behalf of the whole of the UK, Richard Lochhead said the Scottish Government would be lobbying hard in both Westminster and Brussels to ensure Scotland's policy objectives were put forward in the negotiations to determine the shape of the CAP post-2013.

"Scotland has been taking the lead in the debate and this is recognised by other countries in Europe," said Lochhead. "I am confident we will have a strong voice in the wider debate in Europe.

"It is important that whatever new regime is agreed gives Scotland the flexibility to pursue our own policies within the overall framework. We will not be shy in putting forward our views to both the European Commission and the UK government."

The unsaid implication is that the Scottish Government expects to get a more sympathetic ear in Brussels than in Westminster

Lochhead was speaking on the opening day of the Stirling bull sales where he congratulated pedigree breeders on the progress made in improving the health status of pedigree beef cattle herds.

He said the possibility of an eradication programme for BVD was now high on the Scottish Government's agenda following the success in achieving TB-free status and keeping bluetongue disease out of Scotland.

On his first visit to United Auctions' new mart at Stirling, opened last year by First Minister, Alex Salmond, Lochhead said he was impressed with the quality of the Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorn bulls in yesterday's show which are to be sold today. It was a successful day for N F Massie and Sons, Blelack, Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, who won the Aberdeen-Angus championship and stood reserve for top honours in the Beef Shorthorn section where the championship went to Donald Biggar, Chapelton, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.

Reserve Aberdeen-Angus was an entry from another Aberdeenshire exhibitor, Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford.

The sale of Aberdeen-Angus females last night saw a top price of 14,000gns for a five-year-old cow and calf from John Elliot, Jun, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso, Roxburghshire. Buyer was Gordon Brooke, Malton, Yorkshire, who bought five females from Elliot for a total of 49,747.50.