It is incredible that 2025 is just a few days away, and early next year, I will be stepping down from a position that I have been honoured to hold over the past four years.
Indeed, after joining NFU Scotland’s Less Favoured Area Committee in 2009 to represent East Central region and being convinced by others to keep going on a journey to my current position, I simply do not know where the last 15 years have gone.
There have been some real challenges during my time in office and there will always be challenges in the future. While we rarely get everything we lobby for on behalf of all Scotland’s farmers and crofters, what is absolutely clear is that without NFU Scotland leading and standing up for our industry at critical times, Scottish farming and crofting would be in a very different place.
As an eternal optimist, I absolutely believe that what we do, not only as the producers of fantastic, world-renowned food and drink but also as the original caretakers of our land, means that we have a very bright future in front of us. However, that is not to say I am without worry going into 2025.
My first concern is in terms of governments failing to recognise the unintended consequences of some of their current decisions. Currently, the UK Government's decision on Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) is having a massive impact on farming and crofting businesses.
These proposals completely miss the intended target of large-scale investors using land as a tax haven and instead, are causing untold stress on family farms and crofts. This must be addressed in the New Year and, on 25 January, UK Unions will once again unite in opposition in a nationwide day of action. In Scotland, every region will host a tractor rally in protest and more details will come soon (see:
https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/nationwide-day-of-action-planned-for-25-january-as-fight-to-stopthefamilyfarmtax-goes-on ) . I hope the UK Government revisits this devastating, ill-informed decision and reverses its proposal.
As we move into 2025, we must also recognise the impact climate change is having on us, not only here in the UK, but around the world. This compromises the position of those who are quite happy to see us more reliant on imported food which, in many instances, has not been produced to the environmental or animal health and welfare standards of which we are so proud.
This must increasingly focus the minds of decision makers here in the UK to pay more attention to food security.
Thirdly and sadly, the impact of war is almost weaponising food. The issues in the Middle East and the ongoing situation in Ukraine highlights the worst in humanity as the lack of food and water has the biggest effect by far on global health.
This is a serious situation and one that we hope is resolved soon. However, I fear that whatever the outcome is for Ukraine, the bread basket of Europe will be compromised for some time to come. Similar to climate change, we not only have an opportunity to help, we have a moral obligation to produce food here, not only for ourselves but for others who cannot for whatever reason.
On to the positives, with which I am far more comfortable discussing. When it comes to the brand and quality we have here in Scotland, indeed throughout the whole of the UK, we have got a something worth shouting about from treetops. We are the only industry the country cannot do without, and this is beginning to be recognised by all governments.
We know from multiple surveys that consumers are on our side and are proud of the food we produce. In the coming year, we should keep promoting our industry in a positive manner and highlighting the fantastic animal health and welfare, cropping and environmental credentials we have on offer.
Also, if food, climate, biodiversity, and rural communities are to remain top of government agendas, then we must get this included in school curriculums for 2025. We need the next generation of consumers to understand the work involved in putting food on their plates.
It is agriculture that is putting good quality food in front of us and creating an environment that is the envy of many across the globe.
This is the oldest and best industry in the world. Let's talk about it in a positive manner and promote what we have. Through generation upon generation of hard work and dedication, we have certainly earned the right to do so.
Ends.