Scottish Conservative MPs are set to join farmers at the NFUS rally outside the Scottish Parliament tomorrow to show their ‘full support’ for the rural sector. Both party leader Russell Findlay and shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle have been vocal in their criticism of changes to inheritance tax (IHT) and other tax reforms that could harm the agricultural sector, following the recent Budget announcement.

With the Scottish Budget set for 4th December, both have stated that the SNP has neglected the industry for too long, and that the agricultural budget has been repeatedly overlooked.

Mr Findlay said: “For too long, farmers have been short-changed by an SNP Government, which has often viewed the agricultural budget as an easy target for cuts.

"This sums up how disconnected the SNP is from the realities facing those living and working in rural Scotland. Farmers are at the heart of our communities and deserve our full support. I will be proud to speak at this rally and give them my backing.”

The NFUS has called on the Scottish Government to restore the remaining £46m previously borrowed from the agricultural portfolio, and urged them to deliver multi-annual funding to help stabilise the sector.

Mr Findlay acknowledged that farmers have been left reeling from the Labour Budget and called on the SNP to address these concerns in their own announcement next week.

Mr Eagle, a farmer himself, emphasised his deep understanding of the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

“Next week’s Budget comes at a critical point for the sector, and it is vital the SNP deliver the support our farmers, crofters, and the wider agricultural sector need to thrive,” he stated.

He expressed eagerness to speak at the upcoming rally, highlighting the likelihood of a strong turnout of farmers despite the busy time of year. “The fact that so many farmers will attend speaks volumes,” he said.

Mr Eagle further stressed that the voices of farmers, heard outside Holyrood, must not be ignored by SNP politicians. He criticised both the SNP and Labour governments for 'shamefully neglecting' farmers, claiming they fail to understand the sector.

In contrast, he and Mr Findlay assured that the Scottish Conservatives would always stand by farmers.