FARMERS from across Dumfries and Galloway are expected to congregate on Holyrood on Thursday as part of a mass rally.
NFU Scotland is organising the event in Edinburgh to seek guarantees that the Scottish Government’s forthcoming budget supports farming, crofting and all that they deliver.
Alongside the farmers, will be representatives of businesses, upstream and downstream, who are reliant on a thriving rural economy.
NFUS president Martin Kennedy said: “The huge level of uncertainty felt by farmers and crofters threatens food production, family farming and crofting businesses and the environment. In the recent budget, the UK Government effectively washed its hands of a funding ring-fenced multi-annual safety net that has been in place for over 50 years when it passed the budget in a lump sum to Scottish Government.
“On 28 November we are organising a rally to which we want all those who attend to send a clear message to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government about the importance of delivering future, multi-annual, ring-fenced funding for Scottish agriculture. Our rally will highlight all that farmers and crofters deliver, including high-quality food production, climate and nature restoration, and thriving rural communities.
“The Scottish Government and Parliament now have a real opportunity to demonstrate that they do understand and will fully support a thriving Scottish agriculture sector.
“Let us be under no illusions this is a monumental time for Scottish agriculture, and we must rally to secure a budget on 4 December that not only delivers for Scottish farmers and crofters but for the thousands of supply chain jobs that depend on them.”
