Many farmers across the country are unaware that as of Tuesday, drivers of goods vehicles, including floats, weighing over 3.5 tonnes must have undertaken at least 35 hours of continued professional competence (CPC) training and must do so every five years.

Jamie Smart, Legal and Technical Committee chairman for NFU Scotland commented: "Most drivers who require a category C or D licence should have carried out the required training before this date.

"There is the potential for up to a £1,000 fine and penalty points on an operator's licence if you are found not to have a CPC.

"For those that haven't yet obtained a CPC, our advice is to go through the training as soon as possible. You can contact your local machinery ring, or use the course finder tool online to find a CPC course near you."

On a separate issue, the NFUS has called for intervention by the Competitions and Marketing Authority (CMA) to save chicken processing facilities in Scotland. The move follows the closure of a number of company-owned farms in the Scottish Borders by Hook 2 Sisters, Scotland's dominant chicken processor.

That followed an announcement detailing the termination of four growers' contracts late in August as well as other free range contracts last week.

To date, 12 growers, who are all based around, or north of Aberdeen, have lost their contracts.

Naturally, there are fears that there could be more cuts to follow.