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With Brexit a reality there’s a feeling of now being at a crossroads, and in Scotland we have a clear plan for the future of farming. We believe that our farmers and crofters contribute value to the country in three main ways. #OFC21
First, by producing high quality food; second by being the custodians of the countryside; and third by forming the backbone of our rural communities. #OFC21
So, in devising future policy is we must recognise that all three roles deserve continued financial support. I must point out though that support is now under threat as the UKG have imposed reductions to the level of funding that we would have enjoyed remaining in the EU. #OFC21
The climate challenge requires change however, and therefore we have agreed to find new ways of farming which will minimise emissions and enhance sustainability. But that should not be at the expense of food production . Both objectives can be achieved. #OFC21
I have formed five farmer led groups to provide the SG with advice on how to farm in ways that reduce emissions & benefit the environment. The first was suckler beef where Jim Walker and Claire Simonetta produced in early November last year a detailed report- a blue print. #OFC21
Many of their recommendations will provide other sectors with a baseline to work from. Other groups will cover arable, dairy, pig meat, and hill and upland farming and I have already announced the Chairs of the groups on dairy and hill and upland farming #OFC21
We do not believe that food production can simply be left to the market. We are very concerned that cheap imported food may threaten British farming and argued for legal protections against that- which protections were refused by the UKG. #OFC21
reducing home grown beef & replace it with imported, evidence suggests our carbon footprint will increase. Research by the Food Climate Research Network found the average global carbon footprint per kilo of beef & lamp is around double that of the same produced in the UK. #OFC21
