Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland and Rural Affairs Spokesperson, today badged the common agricultural policy as the 'number one issue for rural Scotland'.
Jim Hume MSPSpeaking during a Scottish Parliament debate this afternoon, Mr Hume said:
"All alterations of CAP ultimately will result in re-distribution, so the EU must bear this in mind in their deliberations and ensure that there is a transition period to allow businesses time to change.
"As part of that, if we do not have an agreed CAP for the end of the current arrangement in 2014, then a bridging mechanism must be in place to ensure a smooth transition between any gap in funding.
"At the moment transition could potentially be used until 2019 - five years after proposed new CAP - but if the new CAP is late by a year or two, then enough flexibility should be installed so that the 2019 date is continued further into the future to allow five years of transition at least.
"CAP must work for Scottish farmers."