Criticism of Scottish farming policy should act as ‘wake-up call’ for SNP

Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has said criticism of SNP farming policy from the leading industry body in Scotland should act as a “wake-up call” for ministers at Holyrood.

The Scottish Conservative MP was speaking after NFU Scotland director of policy Jonnie Hall said Scottish farmers “don’t have a clue” what the future holds post-Brexit, while those in England and Wales “have a plan” in the shape of the UK Agriculture Bill.

Mr Hall said his own group put forward proposals to address a “vacuum” in policy from the SNP Government.

He was speaking at an NFU Scotland fringe event at the Scottish Conservative party conference in Aberdeen today. 

David Duguid, Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan, said: “This scathing assessment from Scotland’s farming industry body should act as a wake-up call to Fergus Ewing and the SNP.

“While farmers in England and Wales know what is coming their way and what is being asked of them, farmers in Scotland remain in the dark.

“To date, the SNP has utterly failed to put forward a positive vision for farming post-Brexit. 

“Instead, we have had successive task forces and working groups to discuss policy - but no decisions from ministers on a coherent way forward. 

“Our farmers deserve better and it is high time the SNP woke up to that.”