Farmers and crofters used the Caithness Show to press politicians on the future of livestock farming, agricultural support and rising production costs.
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael and Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP David Green met local farmers, crofters and rural businesses during the show to discuss the challenges facing the sector.
Carmichael said the European Union’s first livestock strategy should prompt both the UK and Scottish governments to set out a clearer vision for livestock farming.
He said: “The new EU livestock strategy should be a wake-up call for both the UK and Scottish governments. It is past time that they set out their ambitions for livestock farming in this country. Farmers and crofters are rightly going to look at what Europe is now doing in this space and ask, ‘If they can do it, why not us?’”
“Under repeated questioning ministers have refused to set out specific goals for livestock farming in the UK. They have been unwilling even to say whether they want the national herd to increase, decline or remain the same in size – which really ought to be the bare minimum you expect as a vision for the future of farming.”
Meanwhile, Green said farmers had raised concerns about rising fuel, fertiliser and feed costs, alongside the operation of the Scottish Government’s Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS).
He said: “The message we heard was consistent. Farmers are under immense strain, with soaring fuel, fertiliser and feed costs. Those pressures are all the more acute given the geographical challenges of farming in the far north.”
“Before launching another funding round, ministers must provide the transparency farmers are asking for, clearly explain how funding decisions are being made, and restore confidence in a scheme that has left too many applicants with more questions than answers.”
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