NFUS calls for action on farming’s future
L Union: ‘Change must be managed and not chaotic’
Twelve months on from the UK’S vote to leave the European Union, the time has passed for talking shops – and the time for action is overdue.
That was the message given by NFU Scotland at the 2017 Royal Highland Show yesterday when union president Andrew Mccornick rolled out an action document Change – A New Agricultural Policy for Scotland Post-brexit.
Mr Mccornick said it laid out what he called the “bare bones” of a model to take the industry through to 2027, and all that was needed was for the model to be fleshed out.
He said: “A year on from the Brexit vote and our politicians have delivered little in terms of certainty or stability … What is clear to all, though, is that change is inevitable but that change must be managed and not chaotic.”
He said that the opportunity existed to develop a different, refreshed system which would offer opportunities for the people who reared and grew the country’s food to have a prosperous, profitable future and to contribute even more to Scotland’s success.
“Engaging with our members, stakeholders and politicians, this is NFU Scotland looking to put the foundations in place that, a decade from now, will ensure Scottish agriculture is profitable, innovative and efficient with our farmers and crofters secure wing ing a fair return from supply chains, allowing them to be less reliant on direct support.”
He said a fairer supply chain, with a supported transition to a new agricultural policy and investment in production would be the way forward. However, the length of the transition period would depend on the trade deal done, he said, adding: “Deals which give a better and more stable returns form the market would allow a faster transition.”
But while the union claimed its document was a work nearing completion, the news that Scottish Government rural economy secretary Fergus had set up another group to look into practical solutions to some of the problems being posed by Brexit met with little enthusiasm.
The union’s chief executive, Scott Walker, repeated that the time for talking was now over and action was required. Saying “the consultation landscape looks somewhat crowded”, he went on: “We need shift of mindset from the politicians away from the ‘The EU won’t let us do that’ to sending out a message which encourages production and profitability.” l A union spokesman said it had a “very positive” first meeting with new Defra secretary, Michael Gove. Admitting the meeting had been brief, press officer Bob Carruth said the union welcomed the promise made to come back later in the year to visit farms and to discuss Scottish issues further.