Farm future up for discussion in November

THE NATIONAL Farmers’ Union is holding a roadshow in Lerwick on 15 November to gauge members’ views on a new agriculture policy for Scotland in the face of an “unpredictable future”.

NFU Scotland has decided to hold a series of roadshows throughout the country to build on its Steps to Change – A New Agricultural Policy for Scotland document. There will be a member of the policy team, regional team and presidential team at each of the meetings.

The Future Agricultural Policy for Scotland roadshows kick off in Castle Douglas on Wednesday 7 November, and take in meetings in Lauder, Perth, Ayr, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Stepps, Campbeltown, Oban, Sleat, Thurso, Dingwall and Inverurie.

A spokesman for the NFU said: “Scotland’s agriculture policy landscape is shifting, and major influences such as the UK Government’s agriculture bill and the Scottish Government’s stability and simplicity proposals could have significant implications for every farm and croft in Scotland.

“NFU Scotland is determined to ensure Scotland’s future agricultural policy delivers a profitable and sustainable future for all agricultural businesses. To do that, input from our members is needed.

“We need to know what their priorities are and what measures will best enable them to achieve them.”

The Lerwick Hotel meeting will be preceded on 14 November by a meeting in the Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall with both to start at 7pm.