Rural communities across Scotland face a very clear choice at the upcoming elections.

The polls are consistently showing that only the Scottish Conservatives are strong enough to take on the SNP across the country.

The choice in front of voters is further division with an SNP party focused solely on the break-up of the UK or a Conservative party that will work hard to secure the best possible deal as we leave the EU.

There is no doubt that the biggest issue by far facing our farmers is Brexit, and people are looking for clear answers as to what lies ahead.

On that front, the Conservative manifesto has made a very welcome commitment to our producers.

If elected, we will guarantee the same level of financial support for farming over the lifetime of the parliament as has been received from Europe.

That is an important point, and will provide some comfort in the short term.

In the longer-term, the focus has to be on agreeing a system of support that is better suited to UK agriculture.

That system needs a far simpler process – both in terms of the application for subsidies and the administration of those payments.

It needs to target support at the people who actually supply the high quality food products we need while at the same time protecting our natural environment. It also needs good science at its heart to protect our ability to compete on the world stage

We know that Scottish farmers are going through a tough time just now. The official income figures published a few weeks ago make grim reading.

There has been a 48% drop in one year down to an abysmal average of only £12,600 per business. That collapse in income over the past five years is now at 75%.

This £12,600 would be below the minimum wage if the family was working 40 hours a week, but when you consider most farming families put in almost double these hours, it brings home what a pittance this is.

We regularly hear what a success story Scotland’s food and drink industry is with exports at record levels. However, not nearly enough of that success and money finds its way back to the primary producer on whom the whole industry depends.

Undoubtedly, part of the reason for the shocking income figures has been the inability of the SNP Government to get CAP payments out to farmers on time.

For two years now farmers have been at their wits end and struggling to pay bills.

The £180million computer system is still riddled with fault and has created the worst cash flow crisis in living memory.

It is a national scandal, and my fear is that the next problem to be faced will be EU fines for failing to meet June pay targets

It is time for voters to put their faith in the Conservatives as we approach Brexit. The SNP simply cannot be trusted to deliver for rural communities.