Holyrood rally fights for future of farming

HUNDREDS of farmers descended on the capital this week to rally for the future of Scottish agriculture outside the Scottish Parliament, at Holyrood, in Edinburgh.

A relatively quiet crowd of more than 300 listened to speeches from politicians, farmers and NFU Scotland’s elected members.

First on the stage was NFUS president, Martin Kennedy, who said: “We need the politicians in the building behind us to put food production front and centre. Otherwise, the politicians will preside over an industry in collapse.

“The howk we are in at the moment is because they took their eye off the ball in energy and we can’t let it happen for food. Food security is now a global issue and we have a moral obligation to produce it.

“We call on them to acknowledge that active farming and crofting have the answers when it comes to putting high quality, local, sustainable, and affordable food on the table and at the same time delivering for the nation on climate change and biodiversity.

“The ‘win, win, win’ for the Scottish Government is that investing in this nation’s food production will deliver the wider environmental goals we all want to provide.”

Next up, was Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, who said: “We are up for this. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting food production and farmers. Food security is something we care about.

“I see the placards and the issues facing the industry. You don’t have your problems to seek and I thank you for coming to make your voice heard. We are travelling the country listening to farmers at our meetings for the Agricultural Bill consultation. I would urge as many farmers as possible to attend.”

The Cabinet Secretary went on to again commit to delivering direct payments to Scottish farmers under the next reform, to design policy in consultation with the industry and assured the crowd that no business will face a cliff edge when payments change.

Despite calls from farmers for more details on any plans for farm payments, Ms Gougeon was unable to give more information. However speaking to The Scottish Farmer afterwards, she said she was preparing a statement for parliament next week which will offer greater insight into the direction of travel.

Conservative leader in Scotland, Douglas Ross, told the crowd that the time for talk was over and more detail was needed fast. He admitted that the Westminster rural policy might not be perfect, but argued that at least it had been delivered.

Farmers and crofters from Shetland to Stranraer supported the rally, with many taking the opportunity to meet with their MSPs.