Focus on resilience at SLE annual conference in Edinburgh

The theme of this year’s event was ‘Resilience: Building successful businesses for the future’ and the varied programme included: case studies of business resilience from across Scotland; a presentation on personal resilience from former British Army intelligence officer Tim Bradshaw; and a keynote address on future-proofing the rural sector by former National Trust director general, Dame Fiona Reynolds.

With politics never far from the farming agenda, speeches by two key political figures attracted significant attention.

Agri Minister Jim Fairlie was keen to stress his own farming credentials

Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie outlined his long association with industry and said the SNP’s Vision for Agriculture sets out how the government will support farming and food production in Scotland to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

Mr Fairlie also paid tribute to SLE chair Dee Ward, describing his work as ‘phenomenal’.

The minister also pointed to changes to agricultural support coming from 2025.

He said: “We have set out a road map of change, providing clarity, a clear timeline that shows the structure of the future support framework, how and when current schemes are likely to change, and when new measures will come into effect.

“It also includes information on the support available to businesses to begin to plan now.”

Mr Fairlie added: “We need everyone to get involved and start preparing for change. And with support available now as part of Preparing for Sustainable Farming, for conducting carbon audits, soil analysis and conducting animal health and welfare measures, I would urge all famers and crofters to take advantage of this support to prepare for 2025.

Labour Leader Anas Sarwar outlined his proposals for regional growth plans

“The route map will continue to be updated to ensure our farmers and crofters have time and resources to prepare for future changes that will be introduced in the coming years.”

With news this week that Scotland has secured a global agritourism conference in 2026, Mr Fairlie took the opportunity to praise the sector.

He said: “Agritourism undoubtedly has a sustainable future delivering a high-quality, authentic visitor experience with agriculture and food and drink at its core.

“It helps encourage young people to stay in the rural communities where they grew up and keeps multiple generations of farming families on the farm and in employment.

“And it is not just about agriculture – a successful agritourism sector has a knock-on effect of helping other local businesses to prosper. The Scottish Government’s commitment to the growth of agritourism is clear from our £443,000 of support for the Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme.”

Mr Fairlie concluded: “the importance of land-based and other businesses across rural and island Scotland cannot be understated.

“Only if you succeed can we build a prosperous, wellbeing economy; only if you prosper, can we achieve a just transition to a new, world-leading green economy; and only if you remain resilient can we preserve the viability of our rural and island communities.”

In his speech, Labour leader Anas Sarwar acknowledged the importance of the rural economy.

He said: “The lack of focus on economic policy has stagnated our growth potential in Scotland and hasn’t allowed us to realise the full opportunity of every single part of our nation.

“What we want to see is a return to collaboration – one of the founding principles of devolution. Collaboration within our communities between politicians, third sector, private sector and maximising the opportunities of working together.

“I think the potential is absolutely huge for Scotland if we can embrace working together and going back to collaborative politics.”

“Labour wants to unlock the dynamism, entrepreneurialism, and opportunity that already exists in rural Scotland.

“That’s why Scottish Labour is committed to developing regional growth plans so that each region can be supported to ensure their own economic strengths are bolstered and supported to thrive.

“From whisky on Islay and in Speyside, to fishing in Aberdeenshire, Scotland has thriving local economies that a Scottish Labour government will partner with so that we can all reap the benefits.

“As part of this, we will ensure that we reform our planning system so that these individual communities can flourish.

“Foremost in this is ensuring that we tackle de-population and take on the rural housing shortage.

“A future Scottish Labour government would co-operate with businesses, local governments and communities so that we can deliver the new housing we need in the areas where we need it.

“Making sure our thriving rural economies have thriving rural communities to support them grow and flourish.”

Speaking to The Scottish Farmer after the event, SLE chair Dee Ward said he was very pleased with how the conference had gone.

He said: “It’s been really good to get Anas Sarwar and Jim Fairlie here and I was really encouraged to hear them talk about collaboration and working with land managers and in the future, rather than imposing legislation on from Edinburgh.”

Mr Fairlie told The Scottish Farmer later: “I’d like to thank Scottish Land and Estates for inviting me to speak at their conference today. I have worked closely with SLE recently on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill and I know how important a voice they are for Scotland’s rural economy.

“It is vital that this government continues to help rural businesses improve their resilience. This mission is more important now than ever before, in an increasingly uncertain world.

“This will only be achieved if we continue to listen to business owners and those living in rural communities. Their experiences will help us to develop our future plans to boost the prosperity of rural Scotland. I can assure you that both myself and this government will continue to listen to them.”

The conference also included more than 30 exhibitors offering a diverse range of services including auction house Bonhams, finance specialists Breadalbane and recycling firm Agri Plastics.