Scotland must take advantage of the EU’s Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) extension offer. There is no reason why Scottish ministers should continue with a 20% slice to everyone’s LFASS payment when it could be avoided. This is the last thing hill and upland farmers need as we approach Brexit.

LFASS is a historic system which over the years has gathered anomalies of over- and under-compensation, however, it still delivers a significant amount of funding for active farmers and crofters. The proposal to create a scheme with the cut 20% for farmers to get their money appears to have made little progress, adding more reason to delay any LFASS change.

Initially, the Scottish Government had planned to create a scheme with the siphoned funds to allow farmers to draw down their missing cash through grant aid.

Not only is this fraught with difficulty, but an unnecessary burden to Scottish Government officials, as they have enough work running the current schemes without dreaming up new ones.

Finally, with Brexit in 2019, any LFASS change may only be for 12 months, as once we’re out of the EU the rulebook changes – offering a blank sheet or the opportunity to maintain stability.

If the Government takes up the chance to delay the change, it gets the opportunity to devise something which is truly fit for purpose, not just shoe-horn in an EU scheme and blame Brussels for rigid rules.

The battle of Brexit is likely to play out in the hills and mountains, as these farmers are the most exposed to price rises, subsidy cuts and EU market access.

More than anywhere else in the country, we cannot have a policy which does not deliver.

These farms act as tributaries from which much of Scottish agriculture flows.

Their part in the wider agricultural economy must be recognised, as we cannot afford to turn them into farm museums.

Yellow card system future for inspections

The Cabinet Secretary’s approach to Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) breaches should be used as a template for post-Brexit audits. The idea that farmers are out to play the system is plain nonsense. In fact, the vast majority of offences are due to clerical error or farmer oversight.

The compliance which comes with public funds is rigorous and unlikely to go away, but the previous EU stipulations were onerous and unforgiving. The ‘yellow card’ system for first-time breaches with BES should be used as a post-Brexit blueprint. First-time offences and genuine errors must be dealt with sensibly, not through penalties or overly threatening letters.

Rules need relaxing in face of weather

While there may be no appeal for a weather aid scheme yet, the Government should soften its inspection approach for those struggling against the elements.

I have spoken to a number of farmers who failed to get crops in the ground in the backend. This is vital for hitting their third crop requirement for greening.

Further wet conditions make handling animals more challenging to ensure they remain ID compliant.

The Government’s new weather advisory panel needs to be swift in assessing the damage before relaying recommendations.