NFU Scotland has warned that the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy is proving to be a struggle, and suggested that in Scotland farmers may not enjoy the 'soft landing' promised before the implementation process began.

The warning was made following a trip by two of the union's senior officials to Brussels, where they met with newly appointed Agriculture Commissioner Paul Hogan. President Nigel Miller and Chief Executive Scott Walker said many member states appear to be struggling with the new CAP arrangements.

Upon returning, the pair said the Scottish Government's CAP implementation plans, some of which have yet to be shared with producers, risk falling short of industry expectations.  Transition measures for established businesses could prove a challenge, they said, and some new and developing businesses may not be catered for under plans for a National Reserve.

Scott Walker said on Friday, "We harbour genuine concerns over how Scotland plans to introduce the new CAP scheme in 2015 with transition measures for established businesses and national reserve support for some new and developing businesses falling far short of original promises."

Walker added, "This trip offered up an opportunity to meet with fellow farmers from other nations as well as Commission officials to discuss a host of issues around CAP.  Others have taken a different path on implementation and we will engage in further discussions with Scottish Government officials shortly to see if its plans can be improved to better serve our farmers."

Discussing the outcomes of a meeting with the new Commissioner, organised by EU umbrella farm group Copa Cogeca, the NFUS chief executive said, "At yesterday's meeting with Commissioner Hogan, it was apparent from the contributions made by farming unions from all member states that implementation of the new CAP is proving far more challenging than was expected.

Last week, the Commissioner stated that he has no intention to postpone the introduction of greening measures in 2015. A number of member states' farm groups have asked for the Commission to allow a more 'flexible' inspection process and reduced penalties for infractions in the first year of the greening process.  

Mr Walker said, "We welcome the fact that Commissioner Hogan has promised an early review of greening and from Scotland’s perspective, it is essential that this delivers improvements in rules attached to ecological focus areas and crop diversity, also known as the three-crop rule."

The NFU official said he hoped the review and other changes promised by Commissioner Hogan will cut "red tape in Scotland and [open] the door to driving meaningful change in the plethora of rules and regulations that plague the farming sector."