The new rural briefs and faces in the cabinet have been broadly welcomed by NFU Scotland (NFUS).
Union president Allan Bowie said it was good to have two places in cabinet with the appointments of Fergus Ewing as Rural Economy and Connectivity secretary and Roseanna Cunningham as secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. However he pointed out that “food” had not been named as part of either ministerial brief.
“The redesigning of roles on matters that affect the Scottish rural economy and the environment brings a fresh dynamic. We look forward to engaging with Fergus and Roseanna and working with them on behalf of farmers and crofters,” said Mr Bowie.
“Their appointments come at a hugely challenging time for the industry. Volatile markets across every sector mean that we have seen farm incomes fall three years in a row and the huge problems encountered by Scottish Government in delivering new CAP support blew a huge hole in Scotland’s rural economy this spring.”
He went on to outline the union’s shopping list for agriculture.
“We would want to see progress made on addressing the levels of red tape that plague our industry; commitments made to remove unnecessary regulation and fully implement the recommendations of Brian Pack’s ‘Doing Better’ report. We must stop gold-plating European rules, particularly those on greening and show a willingness to amend such rules when they are proven to be inappropriate in a Scottish context.
“And we want to see action that delivers a food chain which shares the risks and rewards and allows farmers and crofters to prosper. It is important that, at this time of uncertainty and volatility in the agricultural industry, we have strong voices within Scottish Government that look to build on a food and drink sector success that has yet to connect with the farm gate.”
Mr Bowie also paid tribute to Richard Lochhead who stepped down from cabinet ahead of the reshuffle, and described him as a strong supporter of the food and drink industry, tirelessly promoting the industry at home and abroad.
