Agriculture / MP will judge ‘outcomes’ as UK Government talks up commitment to Scottish agriculture
SHETLAND’S MP has said local farming communities will be the judge after the UK Government claimed it would maximise economic growth in rural areas.
The Labour government this week reinforced its commitment to helping to create a “more robust, profitable and sustainable agriculture industry in Scotland”.
Scotland minister Kirsty McNeill promised the government was building a stronger future for farmers and crofters, while addressing the National Farmers’ Union Scotland’s (NFUS) annual conference on Thursday.
She said they would support the next generation of farmers by increasing the inheritance tax threshold for agricultural and business property relief.
McNeill added they would help to fill the labour shortage on Scottish farms and crofts by giving seasonal workers more flexibility with their visas.
And she said a farming and food partnership board would be created to bring together farmers, food processors, agricultural food figures and retailers.
Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said if there was a renewed effort from the UK Government to listen to farmer then it is “all to the good”.
But he added: “It is the outcomes that we shall judge.”
“The past few years show the harm that can be done to farmers and food producers when politicians see ‘getting a deal’ as the goal, rather the actual results for our communities and our country,” Carmichael told Shetland News.
“With the prospect of a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU it has never been more vital that the UK and Scottish governments work together collaboratively for the sake of our farmers and crofters.
“There are enormous opportunities to be had from an SPS deal but also significant risks if it is mishandled.”
The Liberal Democrat MP chairs the environment, food and rural affairs select committee at Westminster, and was named Farmers Weekly’s farming champion for 2025 late last year.
He said that if the UK Government was to align itself closer to the EU then that would also bring challenges for the Scottish Government.
Carmichael cited examples such as pesticide authorisations and gene editing.
“If the UK government and the EU align more closely on the latter, for example, Scottish ministers will need to be able to respond in a constructive away,” he said.
“The temptation to diverge – sometimes just for the sake of divergence itself – does not go naturally with the sort of cooperation we need here.”
After her speech on Thursday, Scotland minister McNeill said that farms and farmers were “vital to this country”.
“The UK Government is determined to work closely alongside the NFUS to create the right environment for our farming industry to thrive,” she said.
“Farming and rural affairs are both crucial to delivering economic and community renewal across the country. That’s why as well as attending the NFUS conference, I also met with 13 Scottish local authorities and sector representatives this week to discuss growth opportunities and the challenges we are facing.
“The UK Government is determined to work together with the NFUS to build a stronger future for Scotland’s farmers and crofters.”
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