Following the EU judgement on the French Government’s aid scheme for pig farmers, Liberal Democrat Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Mike Rumbles MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to support Scotland’s pig industry.

Commenting, Mr Rumbles said:

“The Rural Affairs Secretary has refused to consider a financial aid package for Scottish pig farmers, on the grounds that it would contravene EU competition regulations. Yet this week, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development has declared that the French Government’s aid scheme for pig farmers does not contravene European competition laws.

“There is now no excuse for the SNP to dodge helping the Scottish pig industry. I hope that Scottish pig farmers can look forward to an apology from the Rural Affairs Secretary for his lack of determination on this issue and a speedy statement from him about what he intends to do to put this right.”