FARMING TALKS . . . Scotland Office Minister David Mundell in Whitehall
The NFU Scotland delegation met local MP and Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell; Alistair Carmichael; Calum Kerr and other MPs from the delegated SNP ‘rural group’.
Over recent months, many farmers across the UK have been put under financial pressure due to extreme volatility in key markets.
Paired with the adverse weather over the summer months, this has forced many Scottish farmers to question their future viability.
Eight members of the Union’s Board of Directors joined NFU Scotland staff at Westminster for meetings with the main political parties.
The Union representatives stressed to politicians the critical extent of the price crisis which is impacting across all the sectors, and presented a seven-point action plan that the Union would like the UK government to urgently address.
Jonnie Hall, NFU Scotland’s Director of Policy, said: “A change of attitude is required by governments and the supply chain.
“Scottish Government needs to stop burdening the industry with unnecessary rules and costs.
“Both Holyrood and Westminster should be working harder to open up markets for what we produce and allowing us to compete with the rest of the world.
“Retailers and all those companies that buy the food produced on Scottish farms should sign up to a domestic sourcing commitment and a transparent price.”
NEWSDESK: 01461-202417
