NFUS must rise to future challenges
THE agricultural industry must embrace the opportunities and rise to future challenges, NFU Scotland’s president Allan Bowie told the union’s autumn conference at Perth last Friday.
Mr Bowie said during his opening speech: ‘We need a policy which is designed to suit our farming and crofting practices. It is now our responsibility to get things right for future generations.
‘The system we’ve had for the past 40 years, which has been driven by Europe, isn’t working for Scotland or the UK.
‘Every single person in this room has the opportunity to input into what would work for this country, for our farmers and crofters, for those working the land who know what would be best and practically possible. Research, innovation and education must also be integral to this new policy.
‘We know the markets are in a difficult place. However, there is a glimmer of light for certain sectors as prices being paid to farmers start to increase and margins narrow. We continue to work with retailers and those across the supply chain to fight for better margins for our food producers and better returns.
‘As an industry, we must embrace the opportunities and rise to the challenges.’
The conference, which took place at Battleby Conference Centre, had a new-look format this year, focusing on the most pressing issues on the political agenda.
The morning session welcomed the conveners of the two Scottish parliamentary committees dedicated to scrutinising legislation relevant to the agricultural sector: Edward Mountain MSP, of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, and Graeme Dey MSP, of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.
More than 120 delegates heard about the key legislation going through the Scottish Parliament in the coming months and how the agricultural industry can work with MSPs to inform and influence the process.
In the afternoon session, the Secretary of State, David Mundell, discussed the UK government’s negotiating position towards the UK’s exit from the EU, focusing on how the interests of Scottish farming and crofting will be best represented. Mr Mundell spoke alongside the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board chief strategy officer Tom Hind, who addressed the key concerns on future trade agreements, agricultural policy and labour requirements in a panel session dedicated to informing members about the latest Brexit developments.