SIR, – Like your reporter I attended the NFUS hustings at Stepps.

Of the candidates willing to express an opinion when answering the questions asked, it became clear that the beef and sheep sectors were the priority, with one candidate explaining that dairy farmers can stand on their own two feet.

This begs the question: Why, after 40 years of generous CAP funding and a NFU constantly fighting for them, are the beef and sheep sectors not able to stand on their own two feet?

It must be confusing for our politicians when meeting farmers. At some events they will meet enthusiastic new entrants, many of whom are entering the beef and sheep sectors, receiving little or no subsidy, and at the same event meeting long established, fully subsidised, beef and sheep farmers unable to make ends meet.

As a dairy farmer, I hope the new top team will, in the next few very important years, steer the NFUS in a direction that represents all sectors of agriculture and not just those they spoke about so passionately at Stepps.

William Waugh

North Bankhead

Falkirk