SCOTLAND’S red meat sector will have to lobby hard with the sheep sector having to pressure government even more, if the industry is to face a viable future in the years ahead.

That was the stark warning from George Milne, Scottish representative for the National Sheep Association, who said the industry will come under serious threat when the UK eventually leaves the single market.

Speaking at the Scottish area agm in Airth, he said: “We have to get new markets geared up to buying our lamb now. We can’t afford to sit back and blame the Westminster government for poor trade deals in two years time – the Scottish government must act on this now to appoint trade negotiators on our behalf to secure lamb markets when we officially leave the EU.

“Trade with the continent is the most important factor we have when 96% of all UK lamb is exported to the EU – without it none of us can survive especially when almost 60% of the lamb we produce is slaughtered south of the Border.”

And on that thorny issue, Mr Milne said he was still awaiting a response from UK farm minister, George Eustice, on the repatriation of levy monies which would total well in excess of £1m and could be used to promote Scottish lamb. As a result, he said he was also going to call on assistance of Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson.

Of greater concern, Mr Milne said however, is the need for the industry to lobby hard to ensure the continuation of support payments and in particular the LFASS payments of which it is still unknown as to when the 2016 packages will be paid.

It was a point echoed by newly elected NSA Scottish chairman, John Fyall, who said his first priority is to convince ministers of the need for the continuation of financial assistance in the form of LFASS payments and a new trade agreement which would allow free trade with every country. “The continuation of the LFASS payments is one of my first priorities and after that I will be looking for new agreements for free trade.”

Mr Fyall, a former YFC national chairman and past chairman of the North-east Farm Management Association, took over the tenancy of Sittyton, a small farm just outside Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, in 2009. His farming enterprise comprises pedigree Beef Shorthorn and rearing ewe lambs to sell as gimmers.

The new chairman also works part-time as a civil engineer on the Aberdeen bypass project, which he said will allow him to work to safeguard the future of the Scottish sheep industry after Brexit.

Mr Fyall beat John Hamilton, Aikengall, Dunbar, in a vote to become chairman of the NSA in Scotland, taking over from outgoing chairman, Sybil Macpherson.

New vice-chairman is Kathy Peebles, from Fife, with Maimie Paterson, Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane, re-elected at treasurer On an optimistic note, Mr Milne said he was hoping Scotland would soon attain BSE-free status which would make a huge difference to industry both in the costs of removing specified risk material in the abattoir as at present, and in attracting new markets.

Following an application by the Scottish Government to Europe to lift the restrictions, there is hope this could happen in May.