Ewing challenged to do more

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs Fergus Ewing was yesterday again challenged to do more to help the cattle sector.

This time it was amplified at a farmers’ meeting in Lanark market with NFU Scotland stalwart Tom French, who farms near Crawfordjohn, telling Ewing he was worried about the future for the sector.

“Suckler cow numbers are the lowest since 1954 and have been in decline for decades. It is shocking. Try and stop this decline. I cannot overestimate the importance of continued funding,” said French.

In response, Ewing promised to take up the challenge.

“I worry about the increased costs per unit through the abattoirs,” he said. “There could come a point where the whole system comes under threat.

“Apart from funding there are things we can do such as increasing the marketing effort through Quality Meat Scotland. I would also like to see greater public procurement of Scottish meat, although I know this is a complicated area.

“At the same time we have issues such as methane emissions and climate change to cope with. Scottish farming has a good message here but we need to get it over better.”

This brought some questions from nonfarming voices in the audience attending the event. They wanted to see a greater sense of urgency on climate change.

Ewing insisted that there could be a “winwin” situation.

“I am convinced that sustainable farming is good for the climate and that mixed farming has its benefits. We have to dispel the notion that farming is harmful and collaboration with others is the best way to achieve that.”