Leading figures from across the agriculture, primary food production, and land management sectors in Scotland joined MSPs at Holyrood at a parliamentary reception earlier this week.
The event, attended by more than 130 guests, was hosted by the newly constituted Food and Agriculture Stakeholder Taskforce (FAST).
FAST aims to boost discussion and understanding with politicians about what is needed to promote sustainable and profitable agricultural production in Scotland.
Attendees were also invited to sign a pledge to be a ‘champion for Scottish agriculture’, with agri minister Jim Fairlie and Tory MSPs Rachael Hamilton and Brian Whittle among the first to sign up.
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Next generation farmers Nicola Wordie from Aberdeenshire and Cameron Wilson from Ayrshire were the main speakers, detailing what they want to see for the future of the sector and what those in the room can do to help them and the wider industry achieve this.
Addressing the audience, FAST chair Neil Wilson emphasised the significance of the multi-faceted agricultural and primary food production supply chain to Scotland’s economy and the importance of pragmatic policy for its sustainable future:
“Agriculture generates more than £3.3bn for Scotland’s economy and there are some pivotal decisions being made in parliament in coming weeks that will impact the future economic success, or otherwise, of the nation’s agriculture and sustainable food production. At a time when food security, cost of living and environmental pressures put the industry at the heart of matters, last night at Holyrood was an excellent platform to launch FAST as a formalised group and to have direct conversations with those who will be influencing future policy developments.”
Minister for agriculture and connectivity, Jim Fairlie, also gave an address highlighting how important the UK Government's delivery of 17% of the total farm budget is to Scotland going forward.
Mr Wilson, who is also executive director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), welcomed the recognition from parliamentarians of the sector coming together to clarify and constructively address key areas of concern.
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He said: “FAST is strongly supportive of the principles of co-design and collaboration, and we want to work constructively with government, politicians and other stakeholders to ensure a resilient and thriving farming and primary food production sector in Scotland.
“We know parliamentarians value the support from FAST members who have done a lot to help them understand the complex nuances and interdependencies within Scotland’s farming businesses and how policy changes might impact them. Speaking to The Scottish Farmer at the end of the event, Neil Wilson said he was delighted at the support from Elena Whitham MSP who sponsored the reception and agri minister Jim Fairlie.
He said: “I’m especially delighted to hear from Nicola Wordie and Cameron Wilson in terms of what the younger generation want from the future, the challenges they see and what they want not just from policy-makers, but everyone in our industry because we want them there for the future”.
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