Douglas MacSkimming
NFU Scotland’s manifesto for Scottish farming puts farming, food and the well-being of Scotland’s rural economy at the centre of the debate ahead of the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections on May 5.
The union’s programme of regional hustings is already underway and, for the first time in the Scottish Parliament’s 17-year history, a national rural hustings event will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on Thursday of this week at 7pm.
The union’s manifesto maps out more than 40 bullet points that it will be looking for new MSPs to address if they are to drive forward the industry and the rural economy.
These wide-ranging points cover the future of support and its delivery systems; land reform; a stronger, fairer food and drink supply chain; appropriate environmental and land management systems; a crofting system fit for the 21st century; a genuine commitment to tackling red tape and improved connectivity across all of Scotland.
It also says the Scottish Parliament has the ability to unlock the shackles that are placed on Scottish farming, helping it in its role as the driver of the rural economy.
Speaking at the manifesto launch, Allan Bowie, NFUS president, said: “It is 17 years since devolution changed Scotland’s political landscape and rural affairs and agricultural policy have now become ingrained within Scottish political life.
“Indeed, those politicians from all parties who addressed our rally at Holyrood in early March spoke passionately about the importance of our farming and food sectors.
“Unfortunately, recent TV debates involving political leaders barely touched the issues that are important to those who live and work in Scotland’s countryside. We need this manifesto and Thursday night’s landmark national rural hustings event to change that and bring rural matters into sharper focus.
“With 85% of Scotland’s land actively managed and farmed, and agriculture the biggest employer in rural areas, these elections come at an unprecedented time for our industry.
“In the past four years, farm incomes have halved while the value of Scotland’s food and drink sector has soared.
“Within the timeframe of the new Scottish Parliament, we will begin negotiations on the shape of the CAP from 2020 onwards. Faced with a shrinking budget, the need to focus precious resources on productive and active producers will be heightened.
“The new Scottish Parliament has the ability to unlock the shackles that are placed on farming, helping it in its role as the biggest driver of the rural economy. Key to that will be a mind-set change and the need for Scottish Government to adopt a fresh ‘can do’ attitude.
“That ‘can do’ attitude could include starting with a clean slate in relation to complex crofting regulation, simplifying the rules around common grazings and developing a framework that is fit for the wants and needs of modern-day crofting.
“And if we want thriving rural communities in every part of the nation, then improved connectivity for all is essential,
“All parts of Scotland deserve functioning road systems, ferry services and air links and the fact that too many people in Scotland’s countryside continue to have an unacceptable level of broadband service and mobile signal must be remedied in the next parliamentary term.”
For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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