As budget discussions loom, Scottish farmers demand support for agriculture and rural economy.
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Farmers and crofters across Scotland are mobilizing for a significant rally in Edinburgh, shifting their focus towards securing a more stable future for the agricultural sector. This comes on the heels of a recent demonstration near Westminster, where farmers from various regions, including a strong representation from the north-east, gathered to express their unity against the chancellor’s controversial decision to limit inheritance tax reliefs.
Upcoming meeting to discuss implications
Members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland’s east central region are set to convene at the Huntingtower Hotel in Perth on Tuesday. This meeting aims to address the potential repercussions of the recent budgetary changes.
Notable guest speakers, including Jenn Stewart and Jane Alexander from Johnston Carmichael, alongside legal expert Alan White from Gillespie McAndrew, will provide insights into the financial landscape affecting farmers. Additionally, representatives from NFU Mutual, Peter Moran and David MacIntosh, will contribute to the discussions.
Focus on Holyrood and the Scottish budget
As the agriculture industry gears up for the upcoming Scottish budget, the NFU Scotland is urging all stakeholders to rally outside Holyrood on Thursday at AM. This event is crucial as ministers will need to allocate funds from the overall block grant from the UK Government for the first time, a shift from the previous practice of ring-fencing these funds. The union is advocating for guarantees that the budget, set to be discussed on December 4, will adequately support farming and crofting initiatives.
Call for unity and support
NFU Scotland is calling upon all farmers, crofters, and businesses reliant on a robust rural economy to join the rally. Leading politicians have already committed to addressing the gathering, emphasizing the importance of collective action. Martin Kennedy, the president of NFU Scotland, highlighted the uncertainty faced by farmers, which poses a threat to food production and the sustainability of family farming and crofting businesses. He stressed the need for a clear message to be sent to the Scottish Parliament regarding the necessity of future, multi-annual, ring-fenced funding for Scottish agriculture.
As the rally approaches, the NFU Scotland is mobilizing delegates from every region, encouraging members to reach out to their local MSPs to arrange meetings on the day of the event. Kennedy’s remarks underscore the critical juncture Scottish agriculture finds itself at, urging all involved to advocate for a budget that not only supports farmers and crofters but also the thousands of jobs within the supply chain that depend on a thriving agricultural sector.
