LAST week, I questioned Lorna Slater on why the SNP-Green coalition had refused to adopt the UK’s Genetic Technologies (Precision Breeding) Bill.

The bill has been recognised by the James Hutton Institute and the National Farmers Union as an important step in the future of Scottish farming which will allow farmers to take advantage of healthier crops which are more efficient and climate-friendly.

Ms Slater did not deny the benefits of the Genetic Technologies Bill when she responded to my question in the Scottish Parliament, but instead she insisted that Scotland must stay aligned where “practicable” with the EU as Scotland’s “biggest international trading partner”.

Scottish farmers have warned they will be “left behind” as the Scottish Government’s refusal to keep up with the science puts them at a disadvantage with farmers elsewhere in the UK who will be able to benefit from the incoming legislation.

Once again, we see the Scottish Government ignoring Scottish farmers, their families and the bigger picture in order to focus on their bid to split Scotland from the rest of the UK.

This goes against Scottish scientists who have stressed the benefits of gene editing, which is very different to genetic modification. The decision goes against rural communities and farmers, who could see significant benefits from the legislation were it to be implemented.

Ms Slater conveniently failed to mention that Scottish trade with the rest of the UK is worth over four times that of the EU, and she seems to forget that it will put our farmers at a massive disadvantage with farmers elsewhere in the UK.

But I am sure she will use this as an excuse to set Scotland against the rest of the UK as part of the new push for another divisive independence referendum.