Lib Dems call for real support for farmers at NFU conference

Scottish Liberal Democrat agriculture spokesperson and lead candidate for Mid Scotland & Fife Claire McLaren has today warned that farmers continue to face the same fundamental problems and warned that the Scottish Government are not doing enough to support skills and profitability.

Her comments come as Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon used a speech at the NFUS conference to announce more than £7 million has been added to the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) budget following exceptionally high demand.

Claire McLaren said:

“Farmers are being told ‘here’s a small grant, good luck’, while the Government remains absent on the bigger structural questions like skills, profitability and long-term viability.

“This announcement is welcome in part, but it doesn’t go far enough. In reality this is a small-scale fix for a sector in crisis. The scheme is competitive and many businesses will be left out. One‐off grants do not equal long-term viability. The farming industry needs a roadmap, not a sticking plaster.

“The speeches by the Cabinet Secretary and the NFU President both emphasised that the agri-transition is moving too slowly.

“It’s no wonder that trust in the Scottish Government is so low. Skills, training and colleges were missing from the announcement. Our farmers need long term investment in the workforce.

“Likewise the species and nature component of the announcement was underwhelming, with no clear pathway for biodiversity or nature-rich farming.

“Liberal Democrats are determined to give rural Scotland a voice in Parliament. Farming businesses deserve better. Scotland deserves a comprehensive agriculture skills strategy, backed by colleges and training programmes, to ensure the next generation of farmers are ready for the transition and that existing farmers aren’t left behind.”