AGRICULTURAL stakeholders from across Scotland have met to discuss their concerns and priorities for Brexit negotiations.

Issues of market access, the future of agricultural support and the movement of labour were top of the agenda at the meeting, which was attended by the Agricultural Industries Confederation, the AHDB, Quality Meat Scotland, the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, Scottish Land and Estates, the Scottish Beef Association, the National Sheep Association, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, the Scottish Crofting Federation, the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association, SAC Consulting, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland and NFU Scotland.

Overall, the meeting was in agreement that everyone in the industry should come together to strengthen the following messages to the UK and Scottish Governments:

- The Scottish agricultural industry’s access to European and global markets must not be compromised, nor should any future trade deal leave the UK exposed to imports produced at a level lower than the UK’s exacting standards;

- A solution must be found which allows industry to recruit and retain both skilled and non-skilled labour from outside of the UK for permanent and seasonal posts;

- There is concern about market instability and fluctuations in the years immediately following the UK’s exit from the EU, which is why the mechanism and structure of agricultural support will be so important;

- There will be an ongoing need for agricultural support – it is vital that there is a policy and budget fit to the needs of Scottish agriculture, which can be tailored to our unique farming, crofting and land management practices.