Farm union president sets out wish list for next decade
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SCOTTISH farming union leader Andrew McCornick has set out his wish list for the next decade in his New Year message.
Heralding a new world for Scottish farming and crofting, the NFU Scotland president says the move away from Europe and the Common Agricultural Policy after almost 47 years is one that will bring a massive change in how farmers look at markets and support.
It will require significant negotiating skills and resolve to get the right outcome, he says.
Commenting on Mr McCornick's message, Caithness area NFUS representative Arnott Coghill said: "We need to get a good deal and if we don't get that I think we will struggle."
Hoping for a softer Brexit, Mr Coghill said: "It [the European Union] is our nearest neighbour and we want as free a trade as possible between the two. We all need each other to keep everything as it is.
"The fewer barriers that are put up, the better for everyone."
In his New Year blog, Mr McCornick reminded farmers that the union's role is not to get involved in political machinations: "It is purely to get on with fighting for the best future for farming and crofting in Scotland regardless of the politics.”
His wish list for 2020 and beyond is based on the adage “plan like you’ll live forever and live like you’ll die tomorrow".
It includes avoidance of a no-deal Brexit, access to EU markets, political engagement on new parliamentary bills, cast-iron guarantees on future funding, access to labour, a standards commission, and finally – sooner rather than later – a new agricultural policy for Scotland that allows the nation’s farmers and crofters to play their part in meeting both the 2030 target for food and drink exports and the obligation to reducing emissions.
As he entered the final year of his presidency, Mr McCornick said: “Over the last three-and-a-half years I have been deeply frustrated by the rhetoric and intransigence that has been pervading our political landscape.
"There has been too much focus on polarisation and not enough time delivering for the electorate.
"Our politicians need to take time out from politicking and bickering, get on with the day job, and deliver for the greater good across all parliaments in these challenging times."
He added: “I truly believe we have more that brings us together than divides us and NFUS is a template to follow. Our members are a coalition of views that come together to fight for the greater common good.
"We have members in the highest hills; the remotest of islands; on the best of land, and everything in between. They all have different challenges and ambitions and yet, as an industry, we are interdependent on each other. In many ways, this is our strength and something that the political process can learn from.”
