The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) has revealed the results of its farmers and crofters intentions survey, with participants identifying growing uncertainty over the Scottish government’s future agricultural policy as the greatest threat to business.
On first analysis of the 555 responses – the largest response the union has ever received to a survey – almost two-thirds of all respondents identified future agricultural policy as the most significant threat.
The survey, which is sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), seeks to gauge the impact of input costs on business plans. It went live on December 14, and closed on January 10.
As an immediate response to the survey results, the union has said today (Wednesday, January 18) that it is calling on the Scottish government to address the concerns and uncertainty brought up by the participants.
It said it is calling for the government to quickly bring forward detail on new policy measures that farmers and crofters will have to adopt from 2026 if they are to deliver on the food, climate, nature and rural development ambitions of the government.
NFUS 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 Scotland’s farmers and crofters as we enter an incredibly challenging 2023.
“Already, some headlines are stark but unsurprising.
“It’s evident that the number one concern of those producing the nation’s food is the growing uncertainty around what Scotland’s future agricultural policy will look like beyond 2025 and what measures will be open to farmers and crofters for support as part of that policy.
“That increasing uncertainty is already eroding confidence – causing too many to question their futures which, ultimately, threatens Scotland’s food security, together with its environmental integrity and economic prosperity.”
Agriculture concerns
NFUS said the “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, the union said, 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.
The union said it will examine the huge volume of data it has captured to identify the intentions for livestock, dairy, arable, pigs, poultry, horticulture and diversification.
“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,” Kennedy said.
“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.
“In a few weeks’ time, we look forward to welcoming the cabinet secretary Mairi Gougeon to our AGM (annual general meeting), dinner and conference where there will be a huge expectation that more detail will be shared with farmers and crofters on what they will be asked to do so that they can get on with preparing to deliver for Scotland with more certainty and confidence.”
