Discussions with new Parliamentary Committee chairs also held
NFU Scotland’s top team were back in Westminster to meet with Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, on a day that also saw an opposition motion on food security.
The team of President Martin Kennedy, Vice President Andrew Connon, Director of Policy Jonnie Hall and Political Affairs Manager Beatrice Morrice also met with newly elected committee chairs Patricia Ferguson MP (Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee) and Alistair Carmichael MP (Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee).
Speaking from Westminster, President Martin Kennedy said: “With the UK Government budget set for 30 October, the unequivocal case for an increased, ringfenced and multiannual UK farming budget was made clear once again.
“With the real terms decline in the value of current support payments and the increasing burden of expectation on farming and crofting to deliver on high quality food production, whilst tackling climate change, restoring nature and underpinning rural communities, the justification for a significant budget commitment from the UK Government for Scotland’s farmers and crofters has never been greater.
“We made that case crystal clear and concise, backing that up with hard evidence on what direct support truly delivers - economically, environmentally and socially.
“While the Minister could not give any clear indication of what the Budget has in store for agriculture, he fully understood our rationale and agreed with our assertion that certainty of support was critical to confidence and outcomes.”
Other issues discussed with the Minister included:
- need for an industry-driven approach to Bovine electronic identification (EID) that works across the UK.
- the need for an effective competent authority to be established to ensure the EU’s Deforestation Regulations do not adversely impact the UK’s primary producers.
- our concerns over any proposals to amend the new legislation governing milk contracts, given its intention to ensure greater fairness in the supply chain for dairy farmers.
- the potential damage for farm businesses that would arise from any suggestion to remove or reduce Agricultural Property Relief.
Specifically on Bovine EID, Mr Kennedy added: “We strongly reiterated the massive benefits of Bovine EID using UHF technology as opposed to the seriously outdated LF. This would transform the sector by delivering a host of pragmatic benefits including health and safety, traceability, animal health and welfare and be delivered at much less cost to farmers and the wider supply chain.
“Among other meetings, NFU Scotland had very constructive discussions with Patricia Ferguson MP (Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee) and Alistair Carmichael MP (Chair of the EFRA Select Committee). It’s clear from both that NFU Scotland has a significant role to play in the relevant enquiries they plan to undertake through the lifetime of the Parliament.”
Ends
Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006