NFU Scotland
Speaking at the rally outside Holyrood Palace today (November 28), NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy emphasised that 'the whole supply chain' was under threat following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget last month.
Having acknowledged the 'issues' with Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), he said: "The other significant issue particularly for Scotland is the discontinuation of the ringfenced fund for agriculture."
"For over 50 years we've had a ringfenced, multi-annual support package for agriculture to allow us to produce food affordably and at the right standards.
"The UK Government has taken the decision to not ringfence that fund at all.
"It is now solely within the Scottish Government's remit for what they do and how much money they give to agriculture to allow us to continue to do what we're doing."
Mr Kennedy says the consistent farm support budget of '£620 million has only got half the buying power it did around 10 years ago'.
"We're asked to do more and more all the time.
"That's not an issue, we can cope with being asked to do more but we can't do it with our hands tied behind our back."
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Budget
When asked what he wanted to hear in upcoming speeches from Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Minister for Agriculture Jim Fairlie, the NFUS president said 'a real commitment' was 'critical' ahead of the Budget on December 4.
"Although there's no ringfence anymore, what we have got is an increase to the block grant fund of £3.4bn.
"We want to see that go into agricultural uplift as well.
"That's an 8% lift in the block grant coming to Scotland."
He also said £61 million in funding, which had been stripped from previous agricultural budgets 'over the past 2-3 years' must be returned.
"We've been assured that's coming back.
"Warm words are fine, but we want to see action, we want to see exactly how that's going to come back and specific dates."
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Rally
One dairy farmer from Fife, Lynn Nelson said she and her family had travelled to the rally because they feel their farm 'is under threat'.
"We're trying to save our farm.
"We've got two young kids working on the farm and I want them to continue working on the farm.
"We want a fair price for our produce, all our costs have gone through the roof and we just don't get enough money for the milk we're selling."
Aberdeenshire arable farmer Scott Campbell said he had attended the protests in London last week (November 19) to offer support following the 'terrible Inheritance Tax news'.
"My son Blair is here, I've got a daughter Eilidh as well, hopefully they'll be the fifth generation on the farm."
"The industry is on its knees at the moment and I really want assurance that the kids can farm at home as well.
"Hopefully the Scottish Government delivers the funding for the future that we require."
Those attending the #FoodNeedsAFarmer rally were asked to start gathering outside the Scottish Parliament from 11:30am onwards, with speeches commencing around 12.30pm and the rally ending at 2pm.
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