By Rachael Hamilton

Cons MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire

AGRICULTURE has played an important role in the lives of many residents across the Scottish Borders.

Farmers and crofters contribute significantly to our local and national economy by producing nutritious food that is enjoyed, not only in the UK, but across the world.

After waiting for years for the Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill to be released, the SNP-Green Government have finally started the Bill’s legislative process through the Scottish Parliament.

But despite my hopes that the government would finally use this Bill to solidify Scotland’s food security plan into the future, this piece of legislation contains little detail for the agricultural sector and rural communities.

Farmers and crofters need urgent clarity on what rules they will be expected to adhere to. They cannot effectively plan and invest in their future if they do not know what will be required of them.

Throughout the Parliament’s scrutinisation process, I have made it clear to the SNP-Green Government that national food security must be at the heart of this Bill.

Current plans are forcing Scotland to import more food from abroad, driving food prices higher without any benefit to local farmers.

Last year, I launched an alternative approach to protecting Scotland’s Food Future. This policy emphasised the importance of listening to those in the agricultural industry, making sure that we create a long-term plan that farmers and crofters can trust.

SNP-Green ministers have a brass neck tagging on ‘rural communities’ to title of this Bill.

The Scottish Government has continuously neglected towns and villages across the Scottish countryside during their time in office and this has only worsened since the Green Party joined hands with the SNP. They have abandoned rural communities at every turn with their centralbelt obsessed agenda.

Funding cuts to the rural affairs budget of £45m by the Scottish Government only highlights how out-of-touch they are with the needs of our vital agriculture sector.

I will continue to make sure that rural voices in the Borders are heard as this Bill makes its way through Parliament. Only the Scottish Conservatives are truly standing up for rural Scotland.