Scottish farmers staged a powerful demonstration of solidarity at Westminster, mounting a significant protest against recent budget taxation changes.
The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) conducted an intensive lobbying effort, engaging with over 30 Scottish Members of Parliament and culminating in a strategic meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP.
NFUS President Martin Kennedy expressed resolute criticism of the budget’s taxation proposals, emphasising the lack of industry consultation and potential devastating implications for Scottish agricultural communities.
The agricultural sector’s concerns extend beyond immediate financial pressures, with particular worry about the impact on future generations of food producers and countryside stewards.
A pivotal outcome of the Westminster lobby was an invitation extended to the Secretary of State to visit a farm and engage in deeper discussions about the proposed changes.
The UK budget’s most significant transformation involves ending five decades of ring-fenced, multi-annual agricultural funding, transitioning instead to the Scottish block grant.
With agricultural funding decisions now resting exclusively with the Scottish Government, NFUS is mobilising farmers, crofters, and supply chain stakeholders to rally outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 28 November.
The primary objective of this gathering is to secure a budget that guarantees the sustainability and future-proofing of Scotland’s rural economic landscape.
Kennedy emphasised the critical nature of this moment, positioning the upcoming rally as a crucial opportunity for agricultural communities to voice their concerns and demand meaningful support.
As the budget announcement on 4 December approaches, Scottish farmers stand united in their determination to protect their livelihoods and the broader rural ecosystem.
