WITH the recent launch of the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, the need to secure a profitable and sustainable future for Scottish Agriculture and the role of policy and regulation in delivering it will be the focus of the NFU Scotland Autumn Conference on Thursday, October 26.

The event will see a mix of confirmed speakers who are ready to discuss and debate what future agriculture policy will look like from a Scottish, UK, and European perspective. Speakers include Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, NFU president Minette Batters, and senior European policy adviser for the British Agriculture Bureau (Brussels), Jenny Brunton.

The event will take place at the Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline, from 9.30 am to 3 pm. NFU Scotland members should register in advance for this free-to-attend event by 5 pm on Tuesday, October 24 clicking here

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “We’re delighted to have such a great mix of speakers already confirmed for our annual Autumn Conference which is always an excellent platform for lively discussion and debate.

"Securing the appropriate policy and regulation is key to the success of a sustainable and profitable future for Scottish agriculture that delivers for Scotland’s farmers and crofters and plays an integral part in delivering the nation’s ambitions on climate change, biodiversity, and rural communities. It is also important we look and learn from our neighbours both within the UK, in Europe, and further afield."

Mr. Kennedy concluded: "The line-up for our Autumn Conference provides an exciting opportunity for our members to hear and question how Scotland is progressing and what other countries are experiencing, thinking, and applying. I look forward to welcoming everyone who is able to attend the conference in Dunfermline later this month.”