Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he next plans to meet with the Scottish Government to discuss the status of the (a) Less Favoured Area Support and (b) Areas of Natural Constraint schemes during the implementation period after the UK leaves the EU.

The Secretary of State regularly discusses agriculture policy with colleagues in the Scottish Government, with the next meeting scheduled for 14 May. Agriculture is devolved, and it is the Government’s intention that each administration has the freedom to design policies that support the individual characteristics of their agricultural industries and unique landscapes. Common frameworks will only be established where needed to maintain the functioning of the UK internal market and to meet our trade and international obligations.