Down the drain

JOE Darby (Letters, 23 May) concentrates on too narrow a picture: Scotland’s resources are not only oil and gas but much more.

The problem is that all our wealth is drained away to Westminster and London “without the option”, and that partial (in both senses) calculations, such as GERS, present an incomplete and false picture. The Scotsman’s Farming column (same day) gives yet another instance of “sharp 
practice”, in keeping money due to Scottish farmers for stock born and reared in Scotland and using it to benefit producers in England.

“London blocks calls for livestock levy repatriation” tells of a seven-year refusal to return the statutory levies for livestock which the Radcliffe review of 
agricultural levy bodies said should be “returned to promotional bodies in the animal’s country of birth”.

Since more animals from Scotland are now being slaughtered in England, and the levy is being taken at the point of slaughter, £1.4 million annually is withheld from Quality Meat Scotland by Defra ministers. This cash then goes to promote the marketing of English meat.

This pattern of withholding rightful monies is sadly common, and distorts the true 
position of Scotland’s resources.

Susan FG Forde

Main Street

Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire