The heartbeat of Scotland’s rural economy pulses with urgent determination as farmers and crofters prepare to make their voices heard outside Holyrood.
Agricultural stakeholders will converge on Thursday 28 November in a powerful demonstration demanding meaningful financial support for farming and crofting communities across the nation.
NFU Scotland has meticulously crafted a budget submission that illuminates the critical need for substantial investment in agriculture and rural development ahead of the Scottish Government’s budget announcement on 4 December.
A pivotal moment has arrived with agricultural policy funding now fully devolved, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to secure the sector’s future.
The Westminster block grant now includes £620 million previously earmarked for the Agriculture and Rural Economy portfolio, currently unprotected and vulnerable to potential reallocation.
The union’s comprehensive budget proposal advocates for several transformative financial commitments: maintaining the full £620 million allocation, introducing an additional £50 million investment, restoring £46 million of previously deferred agricultural funding, and ensuring continued annual contributions.
Central to their argument is a compelling narrative of farmers and crofters as environmental stewards, food producers, and economic drivers in Scotland’s most remote and challenging landscapes.
Their role extends far beyond agricultural production, encompassing critical responsibilities in climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, and rural community sustainability.
NFU Scotland’s Director of Policy, Jonnie Hall, passionately articulated the sector’s stance:
“Our farmers are ready to deliver for Scotland, but they require robust financial backing to realise their potential.
“This budget represents more than monetary figures—it’s an investment in our national future.”
The proposed funding package totalling £776 million would provide a lifeline to farming communities, offering financial stability and recognising their multifaceted contributions to national prosperity.
As the Scottish Government prepares to demonstrate its commitment to rural Scotland, farmers and crofters stand united, calling for a budget that reflects their indispensable role in the nation’s economic and environmental landscape.
