Argyll farmers take their concerns to Holyrood

In the lead-up to the budget announcement on December 4, crofters and farmers from throughout Scotland made their voices heard amid fears that money previously ring-fenced for agricultural funding could be moved elsewhere.

Chair of the National Farming Union’s Mid Argyll branch Alastair Dixon said: “I was pleased to see farmers and NFUS members from all across Argyll in attendance for what is a critical moment in the future of Scottish agricultural support funding.

“At the rally we were addressed by Scottish ministers Mairi Gougeon and Jim Fairlie. They spoke warm words of a positive nature, offering support to our position and for our financial requests, but the budget on Wednesday will be where they get the chance to quite literally ‘put their money where their mouths are’.”

Alongside Alastair and his colleagues were people involved with all stages of the supply chain including hauliers, vets and food processors.

Chair of the Argyll and the Islands NFU regional board Duncan Macalister organised transport for Argyll representatives to attend the rally.

He said: “Farmers and crofters from across Scotland, including members from Argyll, travelled to Holyrood, to make their views known to the Scottish government. The government acknowledged them; we now need them to act.

“We recognise that this is just the start of a process to ensure that politicians understand the issues that we face - our important role in producing food for the nation, delivering for climate mitigation and nature restoration, as well as importantly supporting the rural communities where we all live and work.”