Calls for summit to address crisis

The seriousness of the current farming crisis has prompted both NFU Scotland and rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead to call for summit meetings with counterparts in the rest of the UK.

NFU Scotland is in the lead with its meeting already arranged for Monday when its president, Allan Bowie, will meet with the presidents of the NFU, Ulster Farmers’ Union and NFU Cymru for an emergency meeting.

As part of that, the unions have called for farming ministers to recognise the seriousness of the problems facing many farming sectors and to work together to find urgent and practical solutions to address them.

Mr Lochhead has in the meantime written to his ministerial counterparts across the UK calling for a summit to discuss the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Speaking after returning from yesterday’s Black Isle Show where he met representatives of the agricultural sector, including Mr Bowie, Mr Lochhead said: “It’s been a tough summer for Scotland’s farmers and crofters with the weather causing major challenges for production, and milk and meat prices falling.

“The difficulties we face are not unique to Scotland, particularly low milk prices that are hitting all our dairy sectors hard and where action is required at Scottish, UK and EU level.

“That’s why I’m calling for a farming summit with ministerial counterparts across the UK so we can ensure no stone is left unturned to ensure we protect primary food production in our respective countries.

“We need to urgently consider what further appropriate help can be made available to those sectors most affected.

“For instance, there is no doubt that a joint approach to the chief executives of all major UK retailers and food services companies to ensure a fair price is paid for Scottish and UK produce would be welcomed.

“I am already pushing for greater Scottish sourcing, but the more political clout the better when it comes to ensuring fairness in terms of prices paid.

“I am keen to make myself available to meet my UK counterparts either in Scotland or anywhere else on these islands.”

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead is seeking a meeting with his UK counterparts.