NFU Scotland have said they will continue to oppose proposals for Galloway to become Scotland’s new National Park.
Officials are concerned that Dumfriesshire, Stewartry, East and South Ayrshire could be impacted by the proposal.
Vice president Alasdair Macnab said: “NFU Scotland views the creation of a new national park in Scotland as unacceptable, a view supported by 93 per cent of our members, and I can reassure our farmers in the Galloway area that we will continue to support your opposition every step of the way.
“Based on the experience of many farmers and crofters currently living and working in either the Cairngorms National Park or the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, it is clear that existing parks have failed to make a positive contribution to farming and crofting. The consultation process now starting must be transparent, credible and inclusive – which it has not been in Galloway to date.”
Mr Macnab, above, listed their main concerns as planning with extra bureaucracy; increased access-related issues causing more practical, emotional and financial stress for food producers; limited public transport and poor existing road infrastructure; more regulation for farmers; and that prioritising tourism will be to the detriment of the rural economy and the natural environment.
He added: “Agricultural and food production and what agricultural businesses deliver to the rural economy must be central in any future decision about a possible Galloway National Park.
“Scottish Government must bring forward independent evidence of the value that the existing National Parks bring to farmers and the local community. In addition, a robust case to demonstrate why the National Park outcomes cannot be achieved by other existing funding programmes such as VisitScotland and regional enterprise bodies, such as South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE) must be provided.
“Given the importance of the rural economy to the area, those who live and work within the proposed Galloway area deserve a platform for economic growth and development, and not be pickled in aspic by top tier rules and regulations driven by National Park requirements.”
Stewart Wyllie, the chairman for NFU Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway region, is also very worried.
He said this week: “People are furious at this ridiculous proposal. It is absurd the way it has been done, announcing the winner before there has been an “independent” enquiry being carried out by a government body, unbelievable.”
He fears that creating a National Park locally will put added pressure on “an already tight labour market”, adding: “It is going to push house prices up beyond local people’s budget, it is going to add pressure to the area’s already terrible roads, it is going to add more bureaucracy to farmers which will limit food production, increasing food prices, which will have the biggest impact on the poorest in society. It will increase cases of livestock worrying too.
“The government can’t afford it, they should be investing in our education and health budgets and not on this frivolous nonsense.”
Pointing out that Dumfries and Galloway is the milk field of Scotland when it comes to dairy production, Stewart also stressed the NFUS’ total opposition to the idea.
He said: “This will be the first National Park to be created (potentially) in an area of high agricultural output, the two are not conducive with one another.”
