What do farmers think about having a third National Park in Scotland?
NFU Scotland has launched a survey to gather members' views on proposals for a new National Park in Galloway and parts of Ayrshire.
The survey will inform NFU Scotland's official response to the ongoing NatureScot consultation, which remains open until February 14 2025.
The NFUS member-only survey is open until midnight on January 26, which can be accessed here.
Member responses will provide the foundation for the Union-wide submission to NatureScot.
As part of the consultation process, NatureScot is scheduled to attend a meeting of NFU Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway Executive Committee in January to discuss the proposals further.
NFUS is encouraging all members—whether based in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, or elsewhere—to participate in the survey.
The survey is designed to be flexible, with detailed questions that are largely optional, allowing members to focus on the sections that matter most to them.
Stewart Wyllie, NFU Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway regional chair, said: "This has been a highly contentious issue, and NFU Scotland has consistently opposed the designation of any new National Park across Scotland.
"We have engaged extensively with our members during previous public consultations in 2022 and 2023, where the majority expressed strong opposition to the creation of new National Parks.
"Our position reflects concerns that a National Park would fail to provide benefits beyond those already delivered by existing structures and institutions in the region.
"Members have also raised significant concerns about potential challenges to the planning system that could arise from such a designation.
"I urge all members to take part in this survey.
"This consultation is a critical opportunity for NFUS to represent your views on these updated proposals.
"Your feedback will shape our national response, and it is vital that we hear from as many members as possible.
"Even if you focus only on the sections most relevant to you, your input is invaluable.
"As well as completing our member survey, we also encourage all those with an interest to input directly to the Nature Scot consultation, alongside attending the engagement events that are taking place round the region.
"Details of these events are available here.
"As farmers, the Union's members are incredibly busy and not always able to participate in consultations or engagement events.
"This is why our survey is so important as it will ensure that those who represent them have a clear steer on what we want to secure from this controversial process."
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