National Sheep Association Scotland chair Jen Craig

2019 has been an interesting year on all fronts for NSA Scotland, a year of political turmoil and a lack of clarity of where we’ve been heading in the future both immediate and long term. Going into 2020 we’d like to see a lot more positivity surrounding the industry and its press coverage, more facts and figures about the good stuff we do. I honestly do believe that agriculture especially in Scotland has a major part to play in the solution to the climate change problem.

We will soon be heading in to the parachute system for the phase out of the LFASS scheme and its payments. I currently feel that this is being overshadowed by the convergence money and the debate which surrounds it. We need to be looking at alternatives to LFASS right now, it’s a part of our support system. Whether you agree with support or not, LFASS is vital to protecting the ability of those in the most fragile areas to continue farming, not just keeping them and their stock there but also the communities around them.

NSA Scotland as ever will continue to build on the good work we’ve been doing on all fronts, there are without doubt many challenges to come and we’ll be ready and willing to take them on.