In a recent policy document the SNP have highlighted the importance of good representation for Scotland in the EU for our rural economy.

The Yes campaign is not a party political organisation, however Orkney is an agricultural community and it is important that people are aware of the current limitations and potential benefits that could arise from independence.

Scotland is not a Member State of the EU, and continues to be represented by Westminster in key negotiations. Westminster Governments, of all colours, have shown that Scottish interests are not on their agenda: on the CAP budget, on coupled support, on sheep EID, Westminster has let Scottish farming down.

Redistribution of CAP funds towards those with lower payments per hectare means that, if Scotland had been independent, our farmers would have received an additional €1 billion and Scotland could also have negotiated for a far better share of rural development funding. Instead, the UK Government handed Scotland the worst CAP funding in the EU.

The SNP state that their MEPs have been able to successfully influence negotiations on CAP reform, obtaining an agreement to eliminate "slipper farming" and securing equal rights to payment entitlements for new EU entrants. They have also sought to mitigate the effect of sheep EID regulation on farmers, and ensure cattle EID remains voluntary.

If Scotland were a member of the EU in its own right, our elected government would have far greater influence in these and other areas. This would be true regardless of which party or parties the Scottish government is comprised of.

The SNP also propose to address imbalances in the food supply chain, improved labelling and promotion for Scottish produce, trade agreements that don't subject food producers to unfair competition, and reducing red tape through improved legislation.