Tough decisions that ministers must make easier
Taking a tough decision is, by definition, generally difficult. The very description conjures up the involvement of a considerable amount of emotional turmoil and angst, with the final outcome likely to have far-reaching effects for at least some of the parties involved.
An example could be having to decide which of a trusted band of workers will be laid off in hard times – or it could be making a judgment call on when it’s time to let the vet put a faithful old collie to sleep.
But for some farmers, that tough decision could involve evaluating whether it is sensible to remain in an industry that is set to undergo great change and turmoil.
The long-term nature of virtually every farming enterprise – epitomised in the industry’s maxim of “Live as if you’ll die tomorrow, farm as if you’ll live forever” – tends to make a commitment to the job a long-term one – as does the fact that once you get out there are few opportunities to buy your way back in.
The farmer within us is sometimes so deeply engrained, though, that we can forget there is actually a life out there beyond the farm gate and, with the not inconsiderable capital sum likely to be freed up with the realisation of a farm’s assets, a whole range of profitable and challenging business opportunities exist as well.
Taking such a step is still a tough decision, though, and not only from the point of view of emotional attachment.
Knowing the best way of taking such a life- and career-changing step isn’t straightforward, with a series of complicated legal, financial and taxation factors to be considered.
So, even though some eyebrows were raised at the recent revelation that farmers were to be offered free advice on how to quit the industry, knowing something about the ground rules could make for a more informed tough decision by those who were weighing up the pros and cons of staying in or moving out of the sector.
Of course it’s always sad to see people leaving the industry – but it’s the other half of the equation required to let new entrants in.
And with the growing pressures on the industry, there is a compelling case for offering advice on how to make a dignified exit rather than just keeping going for the sake of it – and introducing such a measure shouldn’t be viewed as a counsel of despair.
So Scottish Government funding for the provision of what might be viewed by some as a controversial service should be welcomed.
However, it’s not enough to let the administration off the hook for failing to take some difficult decisions of its own. For it simply can’t be ignored that the Scottish Government
has let an already ponderously slow timetable for revealing its long-awaited decisions on farm policy slip ever further.
And while the Stability and Simplicity paper, launched at the Highland Show, was at the time described as the most complete exposition of farm policy around, it focused only on what we would do during the transition period and had little detail on what we’d actually be transitioning to.
On top of this, the consultation period ended months ago, in August. Since then nothing has been heard.
And despite the promise of an update in the Scottish Parliament before the end of the December – this has been postponed twice and now won’t take place until sometime into the new year.
While the fiasco over the UK government’s handling of Brexit will be proffered as an excuse, this won’t wash with the farming industry, which knows that policy must change, regardless of the fine details of the divorce settlement with the EU.
So if we in the industry are being called upon to take some tough decisions, it’s only fair that the politicians step up and take their own – and allow us to look to the future with at least some frame of reference.