UK food security is being hampered by the Scottish government's failure to come up with any clear direction or policy for agriculture in Scotland.

That was the stark warning from Neil Shand, chief executive of the National Beef Association, who claimed Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has opted to ignore what is happening in rural communities up and down the country as she continues her tenacious goal for independence.

Hitting out at the Scottish Government he said: "The UK Government now realises the importance of food security, while Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is totally oblivious to what is happening within the farming industry.

"The UK's food security relies on production in Scotland and that is already being hit when AHDB England has reported a 7.7% year on year rise in the number of cows slaughtered in the first two weeks of October – the peak time for culling cows."

He also questioned the First Minister's knowledge of Scottish agriculture when farmers are having to sell ground for forestry when there is little if any money in their industry as costs of production continue to soar.

"Does the Scottish Government not realise that many small family farms will see their total Basic Farm Payments ironed out by the increase in cost of fertiliser?"

Mr Shand added that much of Scotland's food and drink is processed south of the Border, either for consumption in this country or for export. Furthermore, with inflation within agriculture higher than any other industry, he said food production and the quality of beef in Scotland is already in decline.

With more processing facilities south of the Border, increasing numbers of Scotland's best quality store cattle are selling to finishers in the North of England. In turn this has increased beef supplies in England, but reduced supplies available for finishing north of the Border, thereby ensuring a much needed Scottish premium.

It was a point highlighted by Iain Macdonald, market intelligence manager at Quality Meat Scotland, who said that Scottish beef prices have remained firm throughout the autumn, and above those paid in the North of England, as a result of these reduced numbers.

Latest figures show a Scotch premium of 10-15p per deadweight kg on the all steer and all heifer averages compared to the North of England and 13-18p on the GB averages respectively. For the week ending November 5, the all steer average in Scotland was 458.1p, against 448.4p in the North of England and a GB balance of 445.0p.

Read more: Westminster has its head in the sand over food security

Similarly heifers cashed in Scotland the same week balanced out at 458.1p, while northern England and GB settled at 442.5p and 440.7p, respectively.

Such is the shortage of finished cows north of the Border that average prices here are a massive 31p higher than those in GB, at 363.4p per dwkg, against 332.3p, while cows sold in the north of England were valued at 337.3p the same week.

There was less of a difference with young bull values, at 435.2p in Scotland against a GB average of 429.1p.

The next two weeks are traditionally the best for selling finished beef animals as retailers gear up for the Christmas market. But, with Scottish processors desperately trying to hold back ex-farm prices, the cost of living crisis for all and a shortage of turkeys due to avain flu, predicting this year's top roasting joints will be difficult.

"Consumers don't plan for Christmas in November and there is still one pay day to go before the event, so we could still see a last minute switch to buying a roast of beef instead of turkey, when turkey supplies are going to be down," said Mr Shand.

However, with ever diminishing numbers of cows in Scotland, how long will it be before there is a national shortage of beef to eat in the coming years.