NFU Scotland have confirmed their next steps following the autumn budget announcement does not include protests north of the border.

The NFUS believe that unless serious changes are made to the budget, it could have 'seismic' ramifications for the country’s farmers and crofters. Representatives from the union will be in attendance at the London rally on November 19 organised by NFU England and Wales.

The NFUS believe that unless serious changes are made to the budget, it could have “seismic” ramifications for the country’s farmers and crofters.

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy stated that the union is crystal clear in its belief that the budget has not delivered what is required for agriculture within the UK.

NFUS president Martin Kennedy has called on the chancellor to rethink budget decisionsNFUS president Martin Kennedy has called on the chancellor to rethink budget decisions Following the announcement of a rally, organised by the NFU, later this month Mr Kennedy declared the NFUS’s support for the move: “NFU Scotland will be joining all other UK farming unions in challenging this deeply damaging budget and we will be joining them in attending a mass lobby of MPs planned for Westminster on November 19.”

In a statement, Mr Kennedy also said that the NFUS will be raising concerns with Labour MPs across Scotland and will make them aware of the lasting impacts this budget could have on food production, rural communities and the environment.

He continued: “We will be writing to the Chancellor regarding her budget announcement, and we will be encouraging members to contact their MPs.

“In support of our opposition to the budget, we will be collating case studies of Scottish farming and crofting businesses impacted by the damaging taxation changes and working with the wider food chain to estimate the huge cost burden of national insurance and minimum wage hikes and what that will mean for food price inflation.”

Mr Kennedy indicated that a formal response to the budget would be forthcoming and that advice on the potential implications of these changes to taxation is available from Johnston Carmichael on the NFUS taxation helpline.

“This budget has completely unnecessarily created anger, frustration and worry and it is inherent on the government to return to its pre-election promises, unpick the damaging budget, and stand by the farming sector,” concluded the outgoing NFUS president.