The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Tories pledge to consult

- NANCY NICOLSON, FARMING EDITOR RURAL FOCUS: Scottish Tories leader Douglas Ross.

The Scottish Conservati­ves have pledged to end the uncertaint­y over future agricultur­al policy by holding a public consultati­on within 100 days if they win next month’s election.

Leader Douglas Ross launched his party’s rural manifesto on an Aberdeensh­ire farm, where he said the SNP had “dallied and delayed” over farm policy for too long and insisted the Tories would focus on a blueprint policy for the industry.

“We would work with the farming sector to design a simple and fair system that works for Scottish farmers and crofters,” he added.

Until this new agricultur­al policy could be implemente­d, the manifesto states the Scottish Conservati­ves would support the industry to reduce carbon emissions by reversing cuts to the Agri-environmen­t Climate Scheme and extending it.

There is also a commitment to reviewing the value of the Agricultur­al Transforma­tion Programme, and supporting funding for low-emission farming.

Other ideas include reopening young farmers and new entrants start-up grants as well as the new entrants capital grant scheme, and the manifesto says the party would encourage partnershi­ps via mentoring schemes, and focus on supporting women in the sector.

Under the Scottish Conservati­ves, funding would be available for a national agricultur­al institute of technology to deliver both online and face-to-face training courses for farmers.

The manifesto adds: “We would invest an additional £10 million a year in agricultur­al research and developmen­t and support pilot farms to trial new ways to improve farm efficiency and spread best practice across Scotland.”

The party commits to reviewing penalties for rural crime and supporting the Scottish Partnershi­p Against Rural Crime.

At the launch, Mr Ross claimed rural communitie­s had been held back by “poor infrastruc­ture, diminished services and a lack of clarity for farmers”, and insisted rural areas shouldn’t be left behind as Scotland recovers from the pandemic.

“We want to create jobs in these areas, so that no one needs to move away from where they have grown up to find work,” he said.

There is also a commitment to a review of “farm to fork” policy.

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