Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Agriculture

Peter Chapman S5M-06186 That the Parliament notes the findings of Audit Scotland’s June 2017 update on the common agricultural policy (CAP) futures programme; notes that it highlights significant further work to be carried out on the CAP IT system; is concerned by the lack of detailed assessment of risk from financial penalties and the potential for up to £60 million in EU fines if the system is non-compliant; urges the Scottish Government to take swift action to develop a disaster recovery plan to cover the whole IT system; believes a clear plan for the transfer of knowledge to new staff must be developed, and is further concerned that the system will not be functioning as anticipated until 2018 at the earliest and will not deliver value for money. Further details available for S5M-06186 Rhoda Grant S5M-06186.1 As an amendment to motion S5M-06186 in the name of Peter Chapman (Agriculture), insert at end "; is concerned that after a year in post the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity has not 'fixed it' as promised, neither has it been his foremost priority, and calls on the Scottish Government to fully disclose all information with regard to the fiasco, including the Fujitsu report." Further details available for S5M-06186.1 Fergus Ewing S5M-06186.4 As an amendment to motion S5M-06186 in the name of Peter Chapman (Agriculture), leave out from second "notes" to end and insert “; agrees that the biggest threat to Scottish agriculture remains the UK’s departure from the EU, withdrawal from the CAP and the loss of membership of the single market; recognises the need to develop a sustainable system of future rural support beyond 2020 that invests in and supports the best possible environmental and productivity outcomes for agriculture; calls on the UK Government to agree to continue to ensure that Scotland receives the same share of future funding as it does now under CAP to allow farmers, crofters and rural businesses to know as early as possible what financial support will be available, and believes that any further investment must ensure that the current CAP IT system is future-proofed to deliver such post-Brexit support.” Further details available for S5M-06186.4