Seòmar agus comataidhean

I understand the point about budgets, but I am talking about legislation. If you put something in black and white that says, “The rate is going to be what it was in 2018”, that rate will have to be applied. Would other regulations be needed to change the rate? I do not know. That is all that I am asking.

I am learning as we go along, but I want to highlight one key thing—only one. I understand that this is an interim measure and that the aim is to keep policies as they are—blah-di-blah-di-blah—but I note that, as the convener has pointed out, the DPLR Committee has said:

“under regulation 2(4) the instrument keeps the rate of payments under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme at the current rate (which is the rate ... in 2018)”.

According to the report, the instrument will keep payments at that rate for the next 12 years. That is the first thing.

Secondly, as I say, I am new to this game, but the word “interim” does not usually mean that it will take six years to get something sorted out. I understand that farming is a long-term thing, but we are talking about an interim measure lasting for six years. I want clarity on what is being said.

The DPLR Committee report also talks about

“the current rate (which is the rate that applied in 2018) until 2030.”

In other words, there is a line in the sand at 2030. Are you saying, minister, that this interim measure could finish in 2027, or is 2030 the deadline? Is that the date that will be kept?

Therefore, there are actually three points that I want to make: one about the level of payments; one about the fact that, although we are talking about a date that is six years away, this is still called an interim measure; and one about the fact that 2030 seems to be the actual date—it does not say “up to 2030” or “no later than 2030”; it is 2030.

I know that.

For 12 years.

I do not understand this. If somebody says to me—

So

“at the current rate ... until 2030”

should probably say “at the current rate”—whatever that rate is—“not beyond 2030” or something like that, because you are saying that the rate could be changed earlier. The report made me think that the rate would stay the same until 2030, but it could be changed earlier. Is that correct?

Yes. I have both in front of me. Is the exact wording in the regulations “until 2030”?

Yes. That is what I am reading.

I understand the reason, but they are fixed.

Of course—drones. Drones are better.