Scottish countryside has its say on rural policies #bigruraldebate

Those who live and work in Scotland’s countryside are to quiz the nation’s parliamentary parties on their rural policies ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections being held on Thursday 5 May.

Rural issues, including farming, food and the environment have featured little in the public debate to date and key candidates will have the opportunity to map out their policies at a national hustings being staged in the MacRobert Pavilion, the Royal Highland Centre, near Edinburgh on Thursday 7 April at 7.00pm.

The event, supported by 17 rural stakeholders, will feature (in alphabetical order) Sarah Boyack (Scottish Labour); Peter Chapman (Scottish Conservatives); Richard Lochhead (SNP) and Willie Rennie (Scottish Liberal Democrats).  Scottish Greens have yet to confirm who will be attending.  The event will be chaired by Ken Rundle of SRUC.

Speaking ahead of the event, NFU Scotland’s Parliamentary Officer Clare Slipper said:  “Rural issues are at the heart of a healthy and vibrant Scotland.  

“The recent TV debates involving party leaders failed to explore rural matters but for those who live and work in Scotland’s countryside, they want to hear what parties will deliver for our food and farming sectors, the environment and the wider rural economy.

“Scottish agriculture is valued at £3 billion annually.  In addition, more than 67,000 people are directly employed in Scottish farming and a further 360,000 people are employed in a Scottish food and drink sector, currently worth £14 billion.  

“Scottish farmers and crofters are also responsible for the environmental safekeeping of land equivalent to more than 2.1 million football pitches while farm, estate and croft-based businesses are driving forward Scotland’s wider rural economy through tourism and renewable energy.

“That makes the Scottish countryside an important battleground in this election.

“We believe every party manifesto, when published, must have rural policies front and centre.  And through this event, we are giving all the main parties a platform to outline their commitment to rural Scotland.”

Notes to Editors

• The Holyrood Elections 2016 - National Rural Hustings will take place in The MacRobert Pavilion, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, nr Edinburgh EH28 8NB on Thursday 7 April at 7.00pm.
• This event has been organised and is supported by a range of rural industry groups, including: NFU Scotland; Scottish Land & Estates; Rural Housing Scotland; Scottish Tenant Farmers Association; Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group; Scottish Crofting Federation; Association of Deer Management Groups; Scottish Beef Association; Scottish Gamekeepers Association; Scottish Association of Young Farmers; Scottish Countryside Alliance; National Sheep Association; Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust; Scottish Association for Country Sports; British Association for Shooting and Conservation; Scottish Agricultural Organisation Association; Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
• Any members of the media who would like to attend can contact media@nfus.org.uk
• For those interested in attending the event contact media@nfus.org.uk for more information on how to register
• Follow the debate on Twitter at #bigruraldebate

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006