News The publication today (Thursday, 18 November) of the European Commission’s Communication on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) sees the debate move to a higher level. With momentum growing in Europe, NFU Scotland is keen that Scotland builds on the fact that discussions here on CAP Reform and delivery of support from 2013 onwards are at an advanced stage.
18/11/2010
News NFU Scotland’s President, Jim McLaren has challenged Europe to better enforce existing animal transport laws before giving consideration to new rules that could seriously impinge on Scotland’s ability to move livestock.
18/11/2010
News A major one-day farming event in Scotland has heard that the nation’s farmers are ideally placed to meet the opportunities presented in the future but ongoing dysfunction in the food and drink supply chain threatens the industry’s progress, with consumers set to pay the price.
17/11/2010
News Scotland’s livestock farmers could face a huge hike in their costs if Food Standards Agency plans to pass a £21 million bill for meat inspection charges onto the UK farming industry are delivered.
11/11/2010
News NFU Scotland has called on the country’s retailers to show greater commitment to Scottish eggs and chicken in light of the higher welfare standards being demonstrated and adopted by the nation’s poultry producers.
10/11/2010
News At the meeting of the NFU Scotland Council in Perth today (8 November), Chief Executive James Withers presented a draft five-year plan for the organisation.
08/11/2010
News NFU Scotland has echoed the comments from the Ulster Farmers Union, its sister organisation in Northern Ireland, in rubbishing the report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) on food inflation. The report infers that cattle prices in the UK have risen by 17% year on year and claims that “retailers’ margins continue to be squeezed”.
05/11/2010
News NFU Scotland has backed the main principles behind the Final Report of Brian Pack’s Inquiry into Future Support for Agriculture in Scotland, published today (Wednesday, 3 November). However, it has urged that minds remain open on delivery options. The Union says that the main negotiating lines for the Scottish Government and industry are close to being established, but how they translate into future schemes on the ground is still unknown and all options need to remain on the table.
03/11/2010
News NFU Scotland has cranked up its opposition to ongoing trade talks between Europe and Mercosur. In its latest letter to the European Trade Commissioner, the Union laid out five areas around animal health, human health and food safety where guarantees must be secured before any additional access for imported products from these countries is agreed.
03/11/2010
News NFU Scotland has urged the Commission to proceed with care and control in its plans to release stocks from cereal intervention stores later this month.
02/11/2010