Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead has promised to seek clarity from the European Commission on a €500 million funding package for European farmers.

Mr Lochhead said it is unclear how the funding will benefit Scottish farmers - if at all - following an important meeting of European agriculture ministers in Brussels.

The €500m aid package was agreed after intense protests by farmers, which at one point even involved a stand-off between a tractor and a water cannon.

Farmers across Europe have been protesting against the falling prices of their produce.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Lochhead said: “Like many Member States the Scottish Government is concerned that, although today’s package touches on important issues, it lacks urgency and substance.

“This proposal from the European Commission is inadequate and too vague. It does refer to the cash flow, market and supply chain issues the industry is currently facing, but we urgently need clarity on what it means for Scottish farmers both in the short and long term.

“It will also offer no comfort to sheep farmers in Scotland, with its main focus on dairy, beef and pigmeat. We must look at the entire sector, not just sections of it.”

He also said more information was needed on steps the Scottish Government could take to ensure support payments are made at the earliest opportunity.

He explained: “My officials are working flat out to ensure that support payments start at the end of December.

“The Commission is offering to ease controls to ensure all payments can be made as quickly as possible once the window opens, but we desperately need clarity on what we need to do - and what we don’t need to do - in order to make sure this happen.”