Unions bid to help shape farming for generations

Role in trying to ensure standards of food imports after UK has left the EU Strawberry producer praises local help

The UK’S four farmers’ unions are all represented on the UK Government’s new Trade and Agriculture Commission.

NFU Scotland’s representative is union president Andrew Mccornick and other members include retailers and consumer, hospitality and environmental bodies.

It will be chaired by food safety expert Tim Smith, a former chief executive of

East Neuk strawberry producer Tim Stockwell has paid tribute to local people who helped “save the day” by signing up to pick fruit this summer.

In a farming blog, Mr Stockwell said the story of this year’s harvest was almost one of disaster as Covid-19 restrictions prevented the usual numbers of Eastern European workers travelling to Scotland in time.

“Like many, we didn’t know where we would be in terms of labour during our busy times in June,” he said. the Food Standards Agency and Tesco Group technical director.

The commission was set up after a prolonged campaign by the farmers’ unions who are insisting on equivalent standards for food imports after the UK leaves the EU.

A petition signed by more than a million people added to the pressure on government after amendments to the UK’S Agriculture Bill failed to find enough support in Parliament.

The commission will have a fixed term of six months and its remit is to advise on how to advance and protect British consumer interests and those of developing countries.

It will look at how the UK engages the World Trade Organisation to advance higher animal welfare standards across the world, and develop trade policy that identifies and opens up new export opportunities for the UK agricultural industry.

It has also been tasked with

The uncertainty prompted him to appeal to the local community for help as many people in the area had been furloughed.

“We took on around 60 local workers over the last four months, through our own advertising as well as the NFU Scotland’s labour matching service, with 30 to 35 on board during picking and about 20 still with us at the moment,” he said.

“It isn’t easy work, it’s very physical and not suited to everyone. We took producing an “advisory” report which will be presented to Parliament by the Department for International Trade. Department Secretary Liz Truss and Environment Secretary George Eustice have insisted Britain’s high food and animal welfare standards will not be compromised in future trade deals.

Mr Mccornick said: “As the UK sets its own trade policy this is a moment in time that will shape Scottish farming for generations to come.

“The commission has the potential to set a road map for UK trade policy that will allow farming to grow and thrive across the UK by opening up new markets but also ensure that our production standards are front and centre of all new trade deals.”

Commission chairman Tim Smith said it would “bring a clear-eyed perspective on what is fair and works for consumers, farmers, food producers and animals”. on a few folk over 40, but the majority that have stuck with us are in their early twenties. It really is a job for the young.

“We weren’t able to fill all the positions with local workers, but we are extremely grateful to those who did apply and to all those who helped during this extremely difficult time.”

The Stockwell family’s Barnsmuir Farm business at Crail produces either fruit or vegetables almost year-round and employs more than 600 people at peak periods.

The owners of nativebred horses and ponies are being asked to complete an online questionnaire on how they manage their animals.

It is part of a project to find the causes of pasture-associated laminitis (PAL).

As part of a collaboration between SRUC, Waltham Petcare Science Institute and Aberdeen University’s Rowett Institute, PHD student Ashley Ward has already gathered some responses.

Survey results so far have highlighted regionspecific management practices owners employ to manage their ponies, and these could inform laminitis management in the future.

Ms Ward is looking for the owners of Northern European native-breed ponies aged four years and over, with no previous diagnosis of PPID (equine Cushing’s disease), to take part in the study.

Anyone interested in taking part, or who would like more information can contact Ms Ward at projectpal@sruc.ac.uk or call 01224 711026. Alternatively, the survey can be completed at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ Projectpal/

Picture: NFUS. Andrew Mccornick stressed the opportunity for new markets and importance of food standards.

Owners of native-bred horses and ponies are being asked to fill in a survey. Picture: Kenny