Martin Kennedy

NFUS has called on the Scottish Government to guarantee the Budget will deliver increased and ringfenced funding for Scottish farmers and crofters

First Minister John Swinney said his Government would return the £46 million taken away from the agriculture Budget in previous years but could not guarantee a commitment to longer-term funding due to only having 'information' for one financial year

"I know this is already having a chilling effect on farming and rural businesses"

In a letter to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon, NFUS president Martin Kennedy highlighted that NatureScot's established position in favour of a Galloway National Park calls into question its ability to conduct a public consultation in an ‘impartial manner'

"The unequivocal case for an increased, ring-fenced and multi-annual UK farming budget was made clear once again"

"By sidelining our farmers, we risk jeopardising both our food supply and the rural economy"

“Securing a significant uplift in the rural budget is crucial to the wellbeing of our industry"

Farmers urged to be prepared for support changes

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy has urged the Scottish First Minister to help farmers meet their full potential as a key component in Scotland's future prosperity

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said the ‘delayed' release of the Sea Eagle Management Scheme had been ‘enormously disappointing'