Union calls for certainty, investment and action as Scotland's agricultural transition enters delivery.
From the Royal Highland Show today, NFU Scotland called on the Scottish Government to make the next parliamentary term one focused on delivery, warning that farmers and crofters cannot invest, plan or grow their businesses with confidence until there is greater certainty about how the future agricultural support framework will operate.
The Union said expectations on the sector continue to rise, with farmers and crofters expected to produce food, strengthen food security, tackle climate change, restore nature and support rural communities.
With the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act in place and key policy documents published, NFU Scotland said the foundations of future agricultural policy have largely been established. The Union believes the focus must now shift from policy development to practical implementation.
The Union said implementation must be backed by investment, warning that Government expectations of agriculture continue to grow while funding is failing to keep pace. Agricultural support represents less than one per cent of the Scottish Government's overall budget, despite farmers and crofters being expected to help deliver some of Scotland's biggest priorities, including food security, climate action, nature restoration and thriving rural communities.
While the recent Scottish Budget provided short-term certainty, much of the core funding remains effectively flatlined in cash terms. With farm businesses facing rising costs and increasing expectations, NFU Scotland said that this represents a real-terms decline in support at a time when greater investment is needed.
NFU Scotland noted that official figures show 83 per cent of Scottish farms and crofts were profitable when direct support payments were included. Without those payments, profitability falls to just 50 per cent, underlining the importance of a well-funded and clearly implemented support framework.
NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said:
“Those figures show just how important agricultural support remains to many farming and crofting businesses.
"Farmers and crofters want to invest, innovate and play their part in delivering Scotland's ambitions.
"But ambition alone will not deliver results. The industry needs certainty, practical support and investment that matches the expectations being placed upon it.”
The Union is calling on the Scottish Government to:
- Publish a detailed implementation timetable before the end of 2026
- Give farmers and crofters the certainty needed to invest with confidence
- Increase multi-annual and ring-fenced support for farming and crofting
- Provide adequate lead-in periods before new requirements are introduced
- Accelerate delivery on precision breeding and measures to support new entrants and the next generation
Mr Connon added:
"Farmers and crofters are ready to deliver. They are ready to produce food, support rural communities and help meet Scotland's climate ambitions.
"The debate about policy design is largely over. The challenge now is implementation.
"Government must now provide the certainty, investment and action needed to turn its ambitions for Scottish agriculture into reality."
With thousands of farmers, crofters, politicians and industry leaders gathered at Ingliston this week, NFU Scotland said the Royal Highland Show should mark a turning point for Scottish agriculture, moving the debate from policy design to practical delivery.
Notes to editors:
- A copy of NFU Scotland’s 2026/27 budget submission is available here.
- A photograph of John Davidson, Jonnie Hall, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin MSP, Andrew Connon , First Minister John Swinney MSP, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Islands Jim Fairlie MSP, Robert Neill and Duncan Macalister is attached.
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Contact Carly Ross on 07860 642826