NFUS president Martin Kennedy address maps out five key asks

Mr Kennedy called on the UK Government to commit to an enhanced agricultural budget on a multi annual financial framework to be delivered into the rural economy.

Recognising that this would be a General Election year, Mr. Kennedy unveiled plans for a national hustings event where the UK agricultural spokesperson from each party would be invited to attend and state their vision for Scottish farmers and crofters.

He added: “Our national hustings will see where all UK parties stand on support for Scottish agriculture. We have already made our case clear that we need at least another £1b to be added to the UK budget for agriculture.

“Under the current financial arrangement, that would see at least another £170m to go into the Scottish agricultural budget. We already have the backing of the Lib Dems on this extra £1b and they have agreed to this in their manifesto. We want that same commitment from all other parties when manifestos start to emerge.

“However, the current arrangement that sees 17% of the UK’s agricultural budget come to Scotland must be revisited. Scotland, right now, is doing the heavy lifting in terms of the environment, especially with current tree planting and peatland restoration targets. Our members can be reassured that in our regular visits to Westminster, the case is being made to increase that current allocation.”

Mr. Kennedy also used his speech to push the Scottish Government for a Scottish first programme when it comes to public procurement, stating: “We now have a fantastic opportunity to address this through the Good Food Nation Act whereby undisputed transparency of where our food comes from will allow our consumers to make real informed choices.”

Mr Kennedy’s third ask was for the Scottish Government to fully return £61m of deferred funding to Scotland’s agricultural budget. The contentious deferral of funding has caused anger in the industry. There is a commitment that £15m will return in 2024/25 but clarity on when and how all funds will return is a priority for NFUS.

Mr Kennedy said: “We have continually said that we need at least 80% of the budget as direct payments within tiers one and two. It must be remembered that the Scottish Government has committed to 50% of direct support having extra management options attached so the need for that vast majority of funding being retained within tiers 1 and 2 is all the more important.

Fourthly, Mr. Kennedy called for fairness throughout the whole supply chain.

Having previously called at the Highland Show in June 2023 for the Bute House agreement between the Scottish Government and the Green group in the Scottish Parliament to be reviewed, Mr. Kennedy’s final point was to call for the agreement to now be scrapped.

He said: “The topic that is on every farmer’s mind across Europe and beyond, is the green agenda. It is little wonder that across Europe discontent around some of the draconian measures now in place has driven them to protest in such fashion, who can blame them. From a Scottish rural perspective, the Bute House Agreement has been a disaster.”

Highlighting the cost incurred in several of the failed Green party policy recommendations, Mr Kennedy added: “Their severe lack of understanding of how the countryside works is staggering. Also, despite on many occasions asking them to come out and look at specific issues, all too often their diaries are too busy.

“Moorland management, hunting with dogs, snaring, shooting and farming and crofting in general have suffered badly under this agreement. Then on top of this, we have the issues around National Parks. All kinds of businesses that are so important to the Scottish economy are agreeing that this simply cannot continue.

“If the SNP government wants to continue to support the biggest part of our economy and genuinely care about our fantastic environment, then I urge them to listen to us as the true economic drivers and custodians of the land and ditch the Greens.”