Favourable trade and standards key to farming success
Future government support for farming will no longer be about simply maintaining the profitability of individual businesses but will be an investment in the sector best placed to deliver real returns in the green recovery.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch of NFU Scotland’s manifesto for the Scottish election - which lays out how the union would like to see rural policy develop president Martin Kennedy acknowledged that there would be huge demands on the UK Treasury and Scottish budget as the country recovered from the economic ravages of the Covid pandemic.
However, he remained adamant that supporting the sector was a copper-bottomed investment for governments seeking a green recovery. “Quite simply the farming sector is in pole position to deliver on all fronts - economic, environmental and climate change. But we need investment in the sector to do this – and given the right sort of incentives to change, the industry can deliver real returns.”
Suggesting that the same support, delivered to active farmers, could be justified even when budgets were
tight, Kennedy added: “And with the huge range of outcomes which the industry is being asked to supply, it is has a stronger case now for continued investment than it ever has before.”
The manifesto, which sets out the union’s priorities for the next Scottish government and Parliament over the next five years, also called for a viable and rewarding agricultural sector for current and future generations, a transparent supply chain and food system which supported Scottish producers and recognises the public benefits that agriculture provides along with a resilient and enterprising rural economy which offered opportunities for all.
Arguing that positive progress on rural policy in Scotland had been stymied by the Brexit debate over the course of the past five years Kennedy said that it was time for the industry to move out of the shadow of Brexit and the CAP.
“Central to that will be addressing the climate change challenge, which will clearly set the policy agenda over term of the next Scottish Parliament.”
However, he warned that hitting the targets for GHG emission reductions had to be viewed alongside the ambition to double the value of the country’s food and drink sector to £30 billion by 2030, arguing that they had to be addressed simultaneously.
“For that to happen, we need the Scottish government to work collaboratively with UK ministers on favourable trade deals and to prioritise our standards of production in these. We also must ensure the integrity of the UK’S internal market is upheld, as this is critical to Scotland’s agrifood interests.”
Stating that there was no doubt that Scottish agriculture was entering a transformational time in which the farming industry would shoulder more responsibility than ever before, Kennedy concluded: “The industry’s willingness and ambition to adapt and change must be matched by a political agenda that is positive, ambitious and supportive.
"The next Scottish Parliament and government must enable and ensure farmers and crofters can deliver Scotland’s needs.”
French Connection has said it is launching a formal sale process after receiving takeover interest, but told investors a suitor from last month will not make an offer.
In early February, the fashion retailer said it had received two approaches – one from Gordon Brothers International and Spotlight Brands, and another from Go Global Retail – over a potential takeover.
However, its shares slipped on Tuesday after it said Gordon Brothers and Spotlight would not place a bid.
The troubled high street firm said it is still in preliminary talks with Go Global.
Ittoldshareholdersitisalsoin initial discussion with another three parties – which have not been named – regarding a sale.
French Connection stressed that the talks may not necessarily result in an offer for the business.
Last month, Mike Ashley's Frasers Group sold its major stake in French Connection after interest from the investment groups buoyed its share price.
A Scottish firm is rolling out an “after-opening timer” to help consumers reduce food waste.
Motherwell-based smart packaging company Insignia Technologies says its system will clearly identify how long a packet of food has been opened for.
The firm’s “smart ink” has been developed as an extension of its original smart label product, and aims to reduce food waste by providing consumers with a clear visual indication of how long a food packet has been open, encouraging them to use the product while at its optimum freshness and preventing food from being thrown away unnecessarily.
According to the Waste & Resources Action Plan, some ten million tonnes of food waste is generated every year in the UK – 70 per cent of which was intended for consumption. When thrown into landfill, food waste produces a large amount of methane. As it degrades, it emits this greenhouse gas which is known to contribute to global warming.
The company’s after-opening timer is intended for foods packaged within a modified atmosphere, such as cooked meats and cheeses. Food packaging manufacturers can print its smart ink into the lid film of the packaging and, once opened, the ink changes colour over time to indicate how long the pack has been opened for.
David Kilshaw, founder and chief executive at Insignia Technologies, said: “The amount of food that is wasted by consumers is staggering. Every day, 2.2 million slices of ham are thrown away in the UK, many of which will still be edible. Our ink technology can help to provide a solution.
“Our colour changing smart ink is a simple visual reminder that not only helps prevent
people from throwing away food too quickly, but also brings peace of mind to consumers that their food is still safe to eat.
“Consumer research revealed that 55 per cent of
people are more likely to purchase food with our afteropening timer, with 74 per cent saying that having the indicator visible prevents them from worrying about how long a packet of food has
been opened for.” He added: “We believe our technology will be vital in changing consumer behaviour and tackling unnecessary food waste.”