Brussels is notoriously leaky, so it was probably inevitable that the draft European Parliament rapporteur reports on the CAP proposals would get out.

According to the gossip machine, when the reports are officially out we can expect to see changes to the universally-criticised income test for defining an active farmer, and some helpful changes to widen the coverage of the National Reserve (something the Scottish Government has been calling for). We also hear tell of amendments that will, if adopted, avoid the risk of heather becoming de facto ineligible for direct payments – though it will of course have to be managed in line with any activity requirement.

There’s also talk of the Parliament seeking to delay the proposed changes to the rules for designating land as LFA. And it’s inconceivable that the greening proposals should be left unscathed.