Harriet Cross MP has underlined her commitment to champion the farming industry during an event with the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) at the Turriff Show.

The Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan heard from farmers about issues including the Agriculture Bill and the over industrialisation of rural land from pylons and wind farms.

Concerns over tree planting on prime farmland, flooding, and the ongoing threat to farms from species such as badgers were also among the topics which were discussed at the event.

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NFUS president Martin Kennedy, vice-president Andrew Connon, Aberdeenshire Council chief executive Jim Savege and Aberdeenshire Council leader Gillian Owen were in attendance as well as North East politicians including Douglas Lumsden MSP.

Ms Cross also spoke to Police Scotland at the event about rural theft and wildlife crime in Gordon and Buchan.

She also met Scottish Land and Estates, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and attended Quality Meat Scotland’s Scottish Red Meat Profile launch.

Among their priorities for farmers, the Scottish Conservatives want to extend the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme for agricultural labourers, create a Natural Flood Management Fund, secure multi-year funding rounds, protect Scottish agriculture in future trade deals and tackle rural crime with a Rural Theft Bill.

Farmers would also be given the green light to use gene editing technology to bring them on a par with their counterparts south of the border.

Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, said: “I was delighted to attend the NFUS event at the Turriff Show to speak and listen to our farming communities.

“Questions remain over details within the Scottish Government’s Agriculture Bill and farmers rightly voiced concerns about the over industrialisation of our rural areas from pylons and wind farms.

“Our Aberdeenshire farmers and crofters work tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to high quality produce, and I am determined to ensure their dedication is rewarded.

“We need tailored policies for our rural communities that benefit industries such as farming, food and drink producers and the numerous SMEs across Gordon and Buchan that bring so much to our area.

“The contribution of our farmers significantly benefits our North East economy which is why they must be recognised and given appropriate support and consideration at all levels of the decision-making process.”