Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has called for greater fairness across the food supply chain, warning that farmers and crofters are being squeezed despite rising food prices.
Speaking at the Royal Highland Show after an event hosted by NFU Scotland, Carmichael said food supply chain fairness was a key concern among producers. The discussion also covered country of origin labelling for Scottish and UK produce, as well as future trading relationships with the EU and other international partners.
Carmichael, who chairs the House of Commons environment, food and rural affairs select committee, said the issue was particularly important to him as both an MP representing a farming and crofting constituency and a partner in his family's farm.
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"It should be no great surprise that food supply chain fairness was a core topic of interest in these discussions," he said.
"Food prices have gone up and up in recent years and yet farmers and crofters are seeing their profit margins squeezed ever tighter. Someone is making a profit out of our food industry but it is not those producing the food."
He warned that calls for meaningful reform would continue to grow unless producers received a fairer share of the value generated within the supply chain.
Reflecting on the wider mood at the show, Carmichael said the farming industry remained optimistic about the future despite ongoing challenges.
"If there is a message coming out of this year's Show it is surely that farming continues to have the energy and ideas to be a positive force for our country and our economy in the years to come," he said.
He added that governments should do more to help unlock the sector's potential.
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