Scotland

British farmers must not bear the brunt of food price cuts as supermarkets look to win the custom of cash-strapped shoppers feeling the effects of the coronavirus crisis, the NFU has warned.

The latest farm income figures for Scotland show an industry still worryingly dependent on subsidies.

New Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland David Duguid speaks exclusively to Ewan Pate on trade, business confidence and why he voted against legal protection for UK food standards.

In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, the Tories are preparing to sacrifice farmers on the Brexit altar by trying to prevent the Scottish Government from maintaining EU standards, says John Finnie, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

Increased use of tracking security devices last year on tractors and quad bikes has helped Police Scotland recover tractors, quad bikes and other farm equipment valued at £893,000.

The UK Government and devolved administrations have launched a consultation on unfair practices in the dairy sector.

Only a quarter of Scotland’s farmers are optimistic about their businesses in a post-Brexit landscape.

Exports Minister Graham Stuart and Farming Minister Victoria Prentis explain how they plan to boost overseas sales of UK food and drink.

Like rural tourism businesses across the UK, Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farm businesses have had a rough ride over the last few months, but there are green shoots of recovery on the horizon. Ewan Pate reports.

Farming in his own right is a life-long dream of Fraser Murray’s, so when he got the opportunity to take on some land of his own, he decided to think outside the box to get the wheels in motion. Hannah Park finds out more.