Chamber and committees

We have yet to undertake formal engagement with the UK Government on the detailed arrangements relating to the “repatriation” of EU competencies in terms of fisheries and agriculture. The Scottish Government has made clear, however, its expectation that any powers transferred from the EU relating to devolved competencies, including fisheries and agriculture, should pass immediately and directly to the Scottish Parliament. We have, and will continue, to press UK Government Ministers for assurance on this point. It is disappointing that to date no such assurance has been forthcoming.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to working on and discussing with the UK Government, as well as the other Devolved Administrations, the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. The UK Government’s statements to date on future funding do not provide any clear information on future funding far less the guarantees rural Scotland needs, I will continue to seek answers to these vital questions on funding from UK Ministers. It is vital that Scotland has the powers it needs to determine the future of policy and funding. We would expect the UK Government to transfer at least the same level of funding Scotland receives through EU funding support in the future to determine its own priorities for investment. It is also vital that the UK Government resolves the long standing issues on Scottish Convergence Funds, Red Meat Levy and Seafish Levy. I have listed the occasions since May 2016 when I have written to UK Ministers about these matters. I am also in regular discussions with UK Ministers, and last discussed these issues with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andrea Leadsom, on 2 November, and most recently wrote to her about the red meat levy on 19 January.

2016

• 16 June - Letter from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice

• 22/24/27 June – Letters from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice and David Mundell

• 16 August - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Andrea Leadsom

• 9 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice

• 22 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice

• 23 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing letter to Andrea Leadsom

• 29 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Ms Leadsom

• 30 November - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Andrea Leadsom

2017

• 19 January - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Andrea Leadsom

The Scottish Government is fully committed to working on and discussing with the UK Government, as well as the other Devolved Administrations, the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. The UK Government’s statements to date on future funding do not give the guarantees rural Scotland needs and I will continue to seek answers to these vital questions on funding from UK Ministers. It is vital that Scotland has the powers it needs to determine the future of policy and funding. We would expect the UK Government to transfer at least the same level of funding Scotland receives through EU funding support in the future to determine its own priorities for investment. It is also vital that the UK Government resolves the long standing issues on Scottish Convergence Funds, Red Meat Levy and Seafish Levy. I have listed the occasions since May 2016 when I have written to UK Ministers about these matters. I am also in regular discussions with UK Ministers, and last discussed these issues with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Andrea Leadsom, on 2 November, and most recently wrote to her about the red meat levy on 19 January.

2016

• 16 June - Letter from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice

• 22/24/27 June – Letters from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice and David Mundell

• 16 August - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Andrea Leadsom

• 9 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice

• 22 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing to George Eustice

• 23 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing letter to Andrea Leadsom

• 29 September - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Ms Leadsom

• 30 November - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Andrea Leadsom

2017

• 19 January - Letter from Fergus Ewing to Andrea Leadsom

No detailed discussions on the impact of common standards and frameworks have been undertaken with the UK Government. In the event that the UK Government refuses to protect our interests by remaining in the Single Market, however, common standards will be a key issue. While we would continue to meet common standards immediately after Brexit, we are clear that the potential for divergence thereafter may result in either unacceptable increases in costs and burdens on business or an unacceptable race to the bottom in terms of standards. That is why the Scottish Government continues to believe that retaining Single Market access is the best outcome for the UK as a whole.

The Scottish Government has made clear, however, that it will not accept the creation of UK frameworks post-Brexit without its consent, particularly in relation to devolved competencies

The Scottish Government is fully committed to working and discussing with the UK Government, as well as the other Devolved Administrations, the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. In line with ‘Scotland’s Place in Europe’, the Scottish Government has set out in these discussions, proposals that would protect Scotland’s interests, making clear the importance of future trade arrangements to our economy and the need to ensure an outcome appropriate to the needs of farming and food production in Scotland. It is vital that Scotland’s interests, including on all rural matters, are represented and protected in any proposed trade agreements with the US and other countries. That is why Scottish Ministers must be involved fully in all such negotiations and discussions. These discussions will continue at a Ministerial level when Roseanna Cunningham and I meet with UK and Devolved Administration counterparts next month.

We accept there are real challenges in helping deliver the minimum standards across Scotland and these challenges can often be more difficult in island and rural locations. However someone who has been the victim of rape in an island community has the same rights to access to justice as a victim of rape anywhere else. This is why we are working with NHS partners and others to help identify a solution to ensure that forensic examinations are carried out appropriately and sensitively as part of the patient’s overall care whilst guarding against undue delays which could compromise evidence.

Work has already been taken forward by the Co-ordinating Network for HealthCare and Forensic Medical Services for people in Police Care to assess all Boards against the Minimum Standards for forensic examinations for victims of this type of crime. In addition, we have funded a specific post within the National Specialist and Screening Services Directorate in NHS Scotland to work with NHS colleagues and accelerate the pace of work in implementing Minimum Standards. This includes looking at specific issues that areas may face and reporting to the Scottish Government where improvements and changes need to be made.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06425 on 1 February 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

No detailed discussions on future funding arrangements for the seafood and marine sectors have been undertaken. While the UK Government has guaranteed European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)support to 2020, it has failed to provide any assurances about longer term funding arrangements; assurances which our seafood and marine sectors rightfully expect and deserve. The Scottish Government continues to press for clarity as to future replacements for EMFF, making clear that there must be no attempt to short change Scottish sectors and communities by altering the share of funding allocated to Scotland.

When I met with DEFRA Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom on 2 November 2016 I sought guarantees that LFASS payments, which are a vital income support for livestock producers and help to maintain fragile rural communities, will be honoured in 2019.

Following this meeting I then wrote to both Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 30 November 2016, highlighting the importance of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme to Scotland, and seeking assurances that the UK Government guarantees on EU funding will include LFASS payments for 2019 and 2020.

The Scottish Government is now in active discussions with HMT around guarantees for LFASS, we have provided additional information and we are pressing HMT for a more flexible approach to their guarantees to cover this important funding support for the agriculture sector in Scotland.