Edward Mountain: Farmers need to know government plan for the future
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With summer almost upon us farmers could be forgiven for hoping the storms are behind us and brighter days lie ahead.
In most years this would be true and the farming sector’s main concern throughout the next few months would be the need for a sustained spell of dry and sunny weather.
However, we live in unprecedented times. A dark cloud in the form of global inflation and its impact on input costs is following into the growing season.
Farmers are bearing the brunt of the huge hikes in prices we have all experienced lately.
The cost of feed, fuel and fertiliser have rocketed. According to the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the average price for fertiliser alone has trebled from around £300 per tonne to £900.
As a farmer myself, I understand the tough realities of Scottish agriculture and how difficult it can be to turn a profit. However, in all my years of farming it has never been so challenging.
The agriculture sector worked night and day to ensure the nation had high-quality food on its table during the pandemic, and it must now navigate the pressures of a cost-of-living crisis.
Rapidly rising prices have not appeared from nowhere and some challenges in this current crisis are beyond any government’s control. Indeed, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the global agriculture market, undermining years of food and economic security.
Scottish farming is not immune and, until Putin is defeated, the sector will continue to be vulnerable to volatile pricing.
Therefore, the need is even greater now for the SNP government to accelerate its plans for delivering a new vision for our farming sector. Doing so can bring a measure of stability.
While the Scottish Government must lay their proposals for a new agriculture policy to the Scottish Parliament no later than December 31, 2024 I feel we need to see much more progress before then.
Farmers have been left in the dark long enough and the continuing lack of a clear plan is having serious consequences.
I know many farmers investing in change more by guesswork than design because they don’t know what the long-term vision is. That’s no way to protect the industry.
The SNP’s rural secretary has a responsibility to fast-forward her plans and I will be pressing her to do so.
We will also need producers and retailers to play their part and ensure farm gate prices aren’t so squeezed it leaves farmers out of pocket.
While the customer is right to want a good deal, fair pricing is required to ensure the long-term viability of Scottish food production too.
I would also encourage everyone who can to buy their food and drink locally.
Money spent in the Highlands creates jobs and helps our local economy to grow.
While I recognise that farmers are resilient by nature, it is likely that our farming sector will undergo a tough period in the months ahead.
That’s why I will continue to call for more support from producers and retailers further up the supply chain and a long-term agriculture plan from the SNP government.
Edward Mountain is a Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
