Blog The main measure of UK inflation turned negative in April, with the rate falling to -0.1%, due in part to lower food prices compared to a year ago.It is the first time the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has turned negative since 1960.The farming sector is well used to living with price pressure but deflation – particularly if sustained over a prolonged period – will have unwelcome consequences for our sector.
19/05/2015
Blog The Westminster election results particularly in Scotland, have signalled a significant shift in politics within Scotland and UK.
08/05/2015
Blog We are now a few days away from the 2015 General election and our round of regional hustings is drawing to a close, writes NFU Scotland's Parliamentary Officer Clare Slipper.
30/04/2015
Blog This week we met with Solicitor General for Scotland, Lesley Thomson QC to discuss rural crime and how to progress the planned review of prosecution policy.This meeting was a very constructive one, and we covered everything from livestock worrying to agricultural crime in the community.Following evidence being given by NFU Scotland, the Solicitor General confirmed a review of prosecution policy is to be carried out and the Union and other bodies will form a group to assist with this.
16/04/2015
Blog I am in a very fortunate position of having two jobs that I thoroughly love - farming and now being President of NFU Scotland.
Farming has always been part of my life and it is definitely in my blood, but latterly NFU Scotland has taken up more of my time. The position of NFUS President for the next two years will be the focus of my attention and a great privilege but I will find it very difficult at times not to put on my working clothes.
04/03/2015
Blog If I hadn't appreciated before that stepping up into the President's position would bring greater media scrutiny, I do now. Fastest out of the blocks were Ewan at The Courier and Gemma at the Press and Journal.
18/02/2015
Blog David Bowie (no relation!) perhaps summed up life at NFU Scotland right now when he sang about changes. I am very pleased to be elected into the post of President. It will be a huge task to follow Nigel, but also a huge privilege. I appreciate all the support from the council and members in electing me, and, going forward it is certainly going to remain challenging. I look forward to representing members on all sectors and scales.
11/02/2015
Blog It is a bleak start to the New Year for milk producers. The worldwide collapse in dairy commodity values, compounded by the Russian food ban, continues to have a catastrophic impact on the milk price being received by many Scottish dairy farmers. Last week's announcement by the farmer-owned business First Milk underlines the extreme lengths some milk processors are having to undertake to secure their businesses in light of falling powder prices and cheese values. We spoke at length to the First Milk
12/01/2015