ENVIRONMENT MUST BE PROTECTED IN FUTURE PLANS SAYS SEPA CHAIRMAN

In his address to the Edinburgh Forum “Beyond Foot & Mouth - ways forward for the Scottish economy” on Thursday (25 October) Ken Collins, Chairman of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will demand that environmental protection measures be included in any future plans for Scottish agriculture.

Mr Collins is chairing the final session of the Forum, when a panel of 5 MSPs* will discuss the ‘Challenges for Society’. In his opening remarks, he will set the scene for a lively debate by pointing out that:

• enlargement of the EU means that reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is essential and the level of economic support Scotland receives from Europe will decrease
  
• decisions of bodies like the World Trade Organisation will affect Scottish agriculture
  
  
• Scotland’s global reputation for premier products like single malt whisky and Aberdeen Angus beef, along with the tourism industry, will crumble if the environmental quality on which they depend is not maintained
  
  

He will conclude by saying that : “As stewards of much of the Scottish environment - 80% of the country is classified as agricultural - rural communities have an absolutely vital role to play in protecting the environment. Future policies and developments must take this into account. Scotland’s social and economic ambitions cannot be achieved unless the environment is protected, and without that commitment, not only from the agricultural community but also from the policy makers, Scotland cannot move forward positively in the aftermath of the Foot & Mouth crisis.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The Forum will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 24-25 October. Ken Collins will chair the final session on 25 October, 15.30 - 17.00hrs. * Also on the panel will be Robin Harper MSP (Green Party), Alex Johnstone MSP (Cons), George Lyon MSP (Lib Dem), Kenny MacAskill MSP (Scot Nat) and Dr Elaine Murray MSP (Labour).

For conference details contact the organisers at the Edinburgh Centre for Rural Research (ECRR) on 0131 445 4508 email bsas@ed.sac.ac.uk