Former NFUS chairman to argue for fairer allocation of convergence funding

It is unlikely that these terms of reference will go unchallenged by the devolved administrations with Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Fergus Ewing angrily accusing Mr Gove of ‘watering down’ the previously agreed remit.

Mr Walker, a beef and sheep farmer from near Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, is known as a combative figure and is unlikely to let the past slip into obscurity while he argues for a fairer allocation of funds going forward.

Allocations

Mr Ewing said: “I am delighted that Mr Walker has agreed to my request to represent Scotland’s interests on the long promised review into convergence funding.

“Jim’s wealth of knowledge and sectorial experience made him the obvious choice for the Scottish government to recommend.

“Having pushed the UK government into finally holding this review, it is important that the panel has access to all available information and that it is free from Government to make recommendations about what action could be considered in order to address concerns about the past issues of funding allocations, which saw Scottish hill farmers denied around £190 million – the equivalent of £14,000 each over a six year period.”