An industry call to arms to all producers to get involved in a celebration of farming on Scotland’s city streets has been issued by Aberfeldy farmer and union vice-president Martin Kennedy.
Events including food tastings and barbeques, to raise awareness of the benefits of eating Scottish produce, are planned in Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other towns and cities across the country on May 23.
Mr Kennedy said events would take place on high streets and in retail parks and supermarkets, and farmers would be equipped with factual information to hand out to customers.
“The one thing we can all do is give a little time to try and help the industry. NFU Scotland and others will provide the information that’s required and events will be coordinated through our team of regional managers,” he said.
“We want every member and their family to be involved. We know we can provide the manpower, so this is a plea for everyone to be a part of this which I sincerely believe could be a game changer.”
He said it was an opportunity to showcase the reasons Scottish farmers should be proud of what they produce at a perilous time for the industry.
“We are worried about the damage that could be done to us from trade deals that would see us competing with food that don’t come close to meeting our high standards,” he said.
“They could wipe the floor with us, so we need to get the true facts and our story out there, and this is a great opportunity.”
Mr Kennedy insisted the information handed out to the public would be independently produced and scientifically verified and he called on Scottish politicians to back the event.
He added: “We’ve got something to be extremely proud of, so let’s take this opportunity on May 23 to shout it from the roof tops.”
NFU Scotland will also join the other UK farmers’ unions in a rally at Westminster on March 25.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
