NFU Scotland has written to Scotland’s newly appointed Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, demanding that the £33m 'deferred' from the agricultural budget last year be returned.

In the Scottish Government’s Emergency Budget Review (EBR) in 2022 this funding – awarded to Scotland as part of the 2019 Bew Review – was taken out of the budget.

The then Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, John Swinney, publicly confirmed to Scottish Parliament in a statement that the deferred budget of £33m would be returned to the sector in future years, ensuring this supposedly ring-fenced money was ultimately used to deliver on Scotland's rural priorities.

Future budgets are set through the annual parliamentary Budget Bill process and the appropriate profile for returning this funding would be for it to be considered as part of the 2024-25 process. In response to a Parliamentary Question last month, Ms Robison confirmed that the money would be used to invest in Scotland’s rural priorities.

The union has now requested to meet with the her and her team to discuss the rural affairs budget to emphasise how Scotland’s farmers and crofters continue to use that public support to deliver on food security, reducing emissions, nature restoration, supporting rural communities and growing the rural economy.

NFUS president, Martin Kennedy, told The SF: “It is a critical and decisive time for Scotland’s farmers and crofters. Agricultural policy in both Scotland and the rest of the UK is currently undergoing significant change.

"That debate is being undertaken against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis, and there are clearly critical issues around funding going forward.

“When food security and future production are such key issues for the nation, this is causing great concern for our sector. In our Intentions Survey conducted in January, almost two-thirds of farmers and crofters identified uncertainty around future agricultural policy and funding as the most significant threat to their businesses.

“Funding from HM Treasury for the sector is only committed until the end of this UK Parliament so clarity from the Scottish Government on future support, including the return of the Bew funding, would provide welcome reassurance.

“Without government investment, many farmers and crofters in Scotland would find it impossible to generate sufficient funds to reinvest and maintain their competitiveness and that has implications for consumers, food production and rural communities.

“It would also significantly undermine Scotland’s aspirations to grow our iconic food and drinks sector, as the major plank of green economic growth, whilst sustainably tackling climate change, nature restoration and rural depopulation.

“At NFU Scotland, we want to secure the future of farming and crofting, not just for our members but the thousands of jobs and businesses, located within rural communities across Scotland, which are supported by our sector. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with the Deputy First Minister how we believe Scottish Government can support that ambition.”