NFU Scotland's regional chair for Dumfries and Galloway, Stewart Wyllie said: "Our members feel that their concerns have been dismissed and that this process has been more about ticking boxes than genuine consultation. Many have described it as a ‘cloak-and-dagger' approach, where key details about the Park's operation remain unknown."
NFU Scotland has opposed plans for a new National Park in Galloway, emphasising that the current proposal lacks clear 'benefits for farmers, food producers, and the rural economy'.
Over the past three years, NFUS has conducted multiple surveys to gauge opinions regarding the potential establishment of a National Park in Galloway, and said members have 'consistently' show clear opposition to it.
On Thursday (February 20), the union released the results of a member-only survey, which revealed that 75.68% of members strongly objected a potential third National Park in Scotland.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced the 'community led' proposal back in July, which made a 'strong case' for the benefits that a National Park would bring for the 'local economy, the environment and the people who live' in Galloway.
Earlier this month, a 14-week consultation period ended which asked for people's views on whether Galloway should join Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and Cairngorms in becoming National Parks.
However, opposition from farmers continues to be voiced to the proposal.
NFU Scotland's regional chair for Dumfries and Galloway, Stewart Wyllie said: "There are no details on how this National Park would be funded.
"At a time when public resources are stretched across essential services like healthcare, education, and social care, it is clear that a National Park is not a priority for the general public, nor for this region's farmers and food producers."
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Additionally, NFUS has highlighted concerns about the potential impact on the agricultural sector from the Park, including the risk of 'stifling growth, innovation, and development'.
The union has also raised alarm over the likelihood of land property prices being driven up and limiting local housing stock and 'exacerbating' affordability issues for rural communities.
Members have also expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of transparency and engagement from consultation lead body NatureScot.
Mr Wyllie added: "Our members feel that their concerns have been dismissed and that this process has been more about ticking boxes than genuine consultation.
"Many have described it as a ‘cloak-and-dagger' approach, where key details about the Park's operation remain unknown.
"Our members overwhelmingly believe that the proposed National Park would prioritise tourism and visitor access at the expense of farming businesses with potential restrictions on land use, increased costs, and the risk of agricultural operations being sidelined in favour of conservation and recreation initiatives.
"Our members have seen the impact of National Parks elsewhere.
"In places like Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, as well as the Lake District, farming businesses have struggled due to the prioritisation of tourism over agricultural livelihoods.
"We fear similar consequences if a new National Park is established in Galloway.
"Policymakers must listen to the concerns of those directly impacted by this proposal and explore alternative means of supporting rural economies and environmental goals if they are to genuinely benefit Scotland's rural communities."
Scottish Land and Estates
Stephen Young, director of policy at Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) said proposals for a new National Park in Galloway could place additional 'financial and regulatory pressures' on small businesses which are already struggling,
Mr Young put forward the case that farmers are already surviving on 'tiny margins' and new restrictions from the plans could 'hinder' rather than support their ability to operate in the coming years.
"There are fears that the creation of a new National Park will result in another layer of costly regulation, which could make some farms unviable," he added.
"Many farmers are just scraping by as it is and the cost of complying with further regulations could prove the final straw, particularly for smaller farms.
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"Following on from the impact of the changes to Inheritance Tax, along with the morass of regulations which already weigh heavily on the sector, a new National Park Authority is the last thing farmers need."
SLE said rural businesses in the region have outlined a 'lack of infrastructure in the area, added bureaucracy and the potential conflict between increased tourism and conservation of the environment' from the proposal.
"We have serious concerns about the consultation process," Mr Young added.
"There has never been an independent assessment of the strengths and needs of the area, to ensure that any benefits arising would build on these, rather than replacing or diminishing them.
"Similarly there is potential for the legislation which governs National Parks to be amended by the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill.
"There are already a number of bodies, including the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Partnership, the International Dark Sky Park and South of Scotland Enterprise, all of which have the potential to bring similar benefits to the region, but the option of greater collaborative working to reach mutually beneficial outcomes has not been proposed.
"Questions remain about whether the Galloway National Park proposal is the best use of scarce public money.
"There is a likelihood of conflicting views and duplication of effort by creating another body with different ideas on land use.
"Consideration should be given to better partnership working between the existing bodies, rather than creating a whole new entity."
Farmers in Galloway
Galloway dairy farmer Jamie Blackett described the potential creation of a third National Park in the area as a 'vanity project' which residents 'did not want'.
"It has been a hard-fought campaign," Mr Blackett added.
"There are very few businesses, residents and farms which want this great vanity project to happen.
"We are being told by civil servants and ex-civil servants that the National Park is good for business.
"Yet, when SLE, surveyed rural businesses, 91% did not want a National Park.
"No one wants a Quango and another gravy train.
"We want investment in Galloway through existing channels and not through Quangos."
NatureScot
Following the end of the consultation, NatureScot said it will analyse all the responses submitted and will report on what people have said to Scottish Government in the spring.
If Scottish Government decides to proceed with the designation process, there will be a full public consultation on the detailed contents of a draft designation order, including a detailed boundary.
The final stage of the process is the consideration of the designation order by the Scottish Parliament, and this will include the chance for the public to provide views to constituency MSPs.
Scottish Parliament will then scrutinise the draft legislation before deciding whether to approve it or not.
Timescales for these stages will be determined by Scottish Government if they decide to proceed with the designation process.
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