Kicker: Volatility also causes concerns
By Ewan Pate
A RECORD response to an NFU Scotland intentions survey has revealed uncertainty over the Scottish Governments future agricultural policy to be the greatest threat to farming businesses.
First analysis of the 555 responses shows almost two-thirds of all respondents identified future agricultural policy as the most significant threat.
Volatile market prices and the unprecedented spike in input costs of fertiliser, fuel, animal feed and utilities also scored highly when respondents were asked identify what will impact on their business in the coming year.
Availability of labour remains a key concern for some sectors, specifically horticulture, intensive livestock and dairy, and wider land use policy, consumer attitudes, biosecurity and livestock disease risk also scored highly in terms of risk.
NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: This survey, with responses from all parts of the country and all sectors, is a robust reflection of the sombre mood of Scotlands farmers and crofters as we enter an incredibly challenging 2023.
In the coming weeks, we will examine the huge amount of data that is already giving us real insight about the immediate future for Scotlands food and farming sectors.
Already, some headlines are stark but unsurprising. NFU Scotland has repeatedly called for Scottish Government to put potential enhanced support options in the public domain in the wake of its consultation on an Agriculture Bill.
Indeed, had Scottish Government listened to the industry and its own farmer-led groups, we could have introduced some of the measures last year and already be started on our post-Brexit transition away from the Common Agriculture Policy and towards the delivery of what are rapidly becoming increasing demands to address climate and biodiversity targets.
Instead, politics and bureaucracy within Scottish Government appear to be holding back an industry ready to make a difference."
The results of the survey will put added pressure on Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon as she prepares to address NFUS members at their annual general meeting in Glasgow on February 10.
