Leading agricultural business leaders in East Lothian have expressed their fears over the SNP’s plans for an independent Scotland.
During a question and answer session with Dr Ian Duncan, the Scottish Conservative European Election candidate, many spoke of their concern about a lack of clarity over the affects of independence on access to funds from the EU.
Local agricultural firms currently benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds distributed through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Under UK government plans, Scotland stands to receive more than £3.7billion in CAP support during 2014 – 2020.
However, if Scotland became independent, they would need to re-apply for EU membership, a process which could take several years.
During this period Scotland would receive no CAP funding.
Local businesses in East Lothian currently export not only to Europe but also benefit directly from the union with England.
Leading East Lothian businessmen, Stuart McNicol and Richard Lyle, told Dr Duncan of their concerns regarding trade relationships with England in an independent Scotland.
Thanks to the United Kingdom, economic ties between Scotland and England are firmly entrenched.
Yet independence would put those relationships at risk.
Scottish Conservative European Parliamentary candidate Dr Ian Duncan said:
“Local Scottish businesses are understandably concerned about the SNP’s independence plans and lack of detail of how industry would be affected.
“Currently, many local businesses benefit directly from EU funding, but the SNP’s proposals to sever ties with the rest of the UK will put all of this at risk.
“If elected, I want to push the EU to cut red tape which could release more funding, so that more local businesses in Scotland can benefit.
“Yet, if the nationalists have their way, local businesses would suffer needlessly.”