The new Environment Secretary Michael Gove has been criticised for cancelling two planned meetings with farm leaders.
The meetings are about the post-Brexit future of the UK farming industry.
Mr Gove was due to chair the EU transition forum in London. The meeting's are to discuss Brexit concerns the farming industry has across all devolved nations in the UK.
They are due to be held tomorrow (21 June) and once more on 17 July.
A Scottish Government source told The Press and Journal: “Michael Gove should be taking the concerns of Scotland’s agriculture sector seriously – but in cancelling these key Brexit meetings, he is treating the nation’s farming communities with contempt.
“At the same time as he has ditched these talks, he has found time to come to the Royal Highland Show instead.
“While any opportunity to hear the concerns of farmers at first-hand is welcome, Mr Gove’s actions show that he is not serious about engaging with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
'Wholly committed'
However, a Defra spokesperson has responded saying Mr Gove is 'wholly committed' to working with all the devolved bodies throughout the Brexit negotiations.
Mr Gove has recently been seen at the Royal Highland Show and the Royal Three Counties Show this week and last.
The NFU President Meurig Raymond met with Mr Gove at the Royal Three Counties Show to talk about the scope of policy priorities for the farming sector.
For Michael Gove, DEFRA faces some of the toughest challenges of any Government department as Brexit looms.
The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which many farmers rely on, will have to be replaced with a UK-focused system.
