Let's all hope that COP26 won't be 'Cop-out21' for agriculture.

It's a bit ironic that as one of the industries that has been singled out for its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, it is expected to be little more than a side-show at this important event. We can only wish that our our politicians that understand farming and the lobbyists that support it, can raise their voices sufficiently above the babble of eco-sycophants and the screaming of high on super-glue activists to get it across that farming wants to be part of the solution and not seen as a devil in a tractor causing it.

We have much to offer and contribute. Not the least of which is to re-start a grown-up discussion about the balance between tree planting and food production. It cannot be right for huge environmental polluters, such as airlines, to buy their 'carbon credits' simply by purchasing swathes of Scottish acres to assuage their eco-conscience by off-setting their huge environmental contribution to greenhouse gases in mono-culture.

Blanket singular intensity with the likes of soft-wood conifers, does nothing for the environment and bio-diversity. Mixed with agriculture, as a so-called agro-forestry initiative, then there is a possible synergy that might redress the balance. While farming must embrace the principle of agro-forestry, it should only be exhorted to do so by a sensible 'plan' from Government about micro-managing each project to get the most out of the twin aims of providing food and sequestering carbon. This is not about trees versus livestock, it's all about common sense and the ability of this nation's limited acres to achieve balance.

Read more: Scottish Ag leaders raise farming's needs ahead of COP26

But that balance, if policy is wrongly apportioned, could impact disproportionately on food production without which, let's face it, the world faces an even more precarious existence than with climate change. The very fact that should we 'export' our food industry abroad, it will make the balance further out of kilter in the likes of the Amazonian rain forest, which is already under threat from ambitious farming agri-businesses with little regard for the effect their tree-felling has. It is not called 'the lungs of the world' for nothing.

Inside this week's issue, we carry the wants and aspirations of a wide range of organisations and almost to a body, they are much the same. All want the spring balance to err on the side of food production, especially given that this country is actually quite good at doing what it does and that, given the right springboard, it could meet the stringent targets set for it.

But all of them also wish that their views were listened to. It has become patently obvious given the BBC and other media-led anti-farming propaganda, that there are those out there who would like to shape the climate change agenda for an industry that they know little about.

So, our heartfelt plea for COP26 and the major concerns that it should be addressing, is to listen to those that are willing to play a major role in addressing the very real issue of climate change. Their voice must be heard.