EU Commissioner To Come To Highland Show

As widely reported back in November last year, Mr Smith was one of the first MEPs to invite the then prospective Commissioner to Scotland, whereupon Scotland House officials have been working on the details with the Commissioner's Cabinet of personal staff.

Smith said:

"This is good news and, if anything, has taken a while as I would have liked to see the Commissioner come to Scotland sooner, but the Highland Show is a great showcase of Scottish agriculture so I'm looking forward to seeing him there. Hats off yet again to Richard Lochhead and his team for following this up and making sure that Scotland is seen across Europe as a constructive and enthusiastic partner in reforming the EU.

"With the Pack review still underway presently, but with discussion on reforming the CAP still very much ongoing come summer, it will be a great chance for the Commissioner to quiz Scotland's farmers on what sort of system they want to see. What is clear is that Scotland's farmers are united in their opposition to the DEFRA and UK Treasury view of CAP, and Scotland is at the European mainstream and I look forward to showing our Commissioner the strength of support for his reforms.

"I welcomed the appointment of Commissioner Cioloş at the time and have liked his style since. He, along with Commissioner Dalli over at Animal Health, has been good news in the Commission."