Warning from Kennedy as MSPS debate likely rural Brexit impact

Unfavourable trade deals represent the greatest threats to the prosperity of Scottish agriculture – and the importation of substandard products from other countries would only have a negative effect on the industry.

That was the message to a Scottish parliamentary committee yesterday from NFU Scotland vice-president Martin Kennedy.

Addressing MSPS on the rural economy and connectivity committee, Kennedy said that while Brexit created difficulties for the industry, it also offered opportunities – but cautioned that as the government sought new trade deals they had to be favourable for Scottish agriculture.

“Our farmers and crofters work to the highest animal welfare standards and growing standards and it is important that any deal does not undercut their hard work by importing large volumes of substandard products,” said Kennedy.

He said that Brexit created an opportunity tothe current flawed supply chain system for those producing food – and he highlighted the point that while the farming industry put around £2.8 billion into the rural economy last year, the average income of a Scottish farmer stood at around only £12,000.

Speaking after the meeting, North-east MSP Mike Rumbles said that frustration was running high throughout rural industries at the lack of progress being made by the Scottish Government on preparing any plans for post-brexit policy.

Urging the administration to “get on with the job”, he said the Scottish Government “has completely failed to take action to come up with any plans for a ‘bespoke’ rural support plan for Scotland.”