NFU Scotland President, Martin Kennedy has expressed his frustration in the slow progress being made by Scottish Government’s Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) and decision makers to provide details relating to Scotland’s Future Agriculture Policy.

Mr Kennedy was speaking in response to the address by Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary of Rural Affairs and Islands, to an audience of more than 200 tuned into NFU Scotland’s annual conference taking place online earlier today (Friday 11 February).

Kennedy said, “It is always a huge pleasure to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to speak to our members as part of our annual conference and AGM and today was no exception.

“I welcome confirmation that the Scottish Government is absolutely committed to supporting sustainable food production now and in the future, and some of the positive steps the Cabinet Secretary highlighted today that will help the industry tackle many of the issues challenging Scotland’s farmers, crofters and producers.  

“Confirming support will come forward later this Spring for soil testing, livestock improvement and carbon auditing will be a game changer for many.  However the announcement that the entire current year’s Agriculture Transformation Fund of £5 million be used to assist in purchasing low emission slurry spreading equipment and slurry store covers is woefully short of the funding that is needed to help progress. NFU Scotland will be lobbying hard to push for further commitment.

“I know we have a membership that is eager to deliver on targets, and I can only reiterate to all of them what the Cabinet Secretary said in urging as many of them as possible, in the meantime, to take what funding opportunities become available.

“I am sure NFU Scotland members will have welcomed clarity about the direction of travel being taken towards improving productivity and efficiency, cutting emissions and funding commitments and payments.  News that details of the National Test Programme Track 1 will be announced this Spring is long overdue.  Like others, I’m hugely frustrated about the pace of delivery, but we must be sure that the direction of travel we are pursuing is right and fit for Scotland’s future agriculture policy.  I personally, along with other members of the ARIOB, am committed to delivering this.”

Notes to Editors:

A full copy of the Cabinet’s Secretary’s speech to the 2022 NFU Scotland Annual Conference can be found online at Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon’s address to NFU Scotland Conference

All sessions from the annual conference and AGM can be viewed at https://www.nfus.org.uk/about-nfus/agm-2022.aspx

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Contact Diana McGowan on 07920 018619