There was a strong agreement over the urgent need for certainty and decisive action to be taken over Brexit agreements from both farmers and politicians, during discussions at a recent NFU Scotland North East Cross Party Politician meeting.

At the latest meeting, which was held in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire last week, there was a call from farmers, as well as several politicians, to “get on with Brexit” in order to provide some certainty for farmers and crofters.

Concerns for the agriculture industry

Various concerns over the future of Scotland’s agriculture industry were raised by farmers, including the amount of time left for the agriculture industry as a whole to prepare before the UK leaves the European Union, Scotland’s position on the UK’s government’s agriculture bill, farm funding and the future of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

Speaking about issues affecting the industry, one farmer at the meeting said: “We speak about uncertainty, it’s manifested itself more this year than I’ve ever known.

“One thing that is certain is our income is diminishing. This is hurting us and breeding uncertainty. The young ones are coming into it (the farming industry) saying ‘why would I want to do this?’.”

There was a general agreement that while Theresa May’s deal may not be perfect, it would give farmers some time to prepare their businesses for the future markets, while the rest of the details were discussed. Commenting on the need for certainty for farmers, Tom Johnston a farmer as well as a director of Aberdeen Northern Marts (ANM) added: “We need this transition period to try and adjust ourselves.”

He added: “Theresa May has stuck to her guns and she’s trying to do what’s best for the good of her country. I wish other politicians could say the same.”

Various politicians at the meeting also supported various farmers’ calls for a deal to be agreed upon as soon as possible.

Scottish Conservatives MSP for the northeast Peter Chapman said: “There’s only one deal on the table. This would at least give us some sort of certainty. Get the deal process across the line because it’s just chaotic at the moment and it’s all because of politics.”

Also from the Scottish Conservatives, David Duguid MP added: “The majority of us want to get on with it. The thing we are fighting amongst ourselves is how best to deliver Brexit.”

Plans to dual the A96

Many of the farmers in attendance at the meeting could potentially have their land and businesses affected by the proposed routes identified by Transport Scotland to upgrade the existing single-carriageway road the A96, which runs between Inverness and Aberdeen, and create a new dual carriageway along the route.

There was further agreement between many farmers and politicians in attendance at the meeting to seek alternative plans to those put forward as possible routes for the new road – with the favoured option at the meeting to expand and upgrade the existing single carriageway as well as other alternatives including only bypassing certain towns such as Keith and Nairn.

The farmers who may be affected by the plans highlighted various concerns for their business if their land is split including drainage issues, land access as well as losses to the overall value of their farm.

NFU Scotland North East regional manager Lorna Paterson said: “We want to know the costs on dualling the existing route versus the other options. The whole thing is going to cost a fortune and create disruption.”

Lorna added: “We need to get the A96 right as we didn’t get the AWPR [Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route] as right as we could.”

One farmer added: “They’ve got to realise land is a commodity.”

The public consultation period on the proposed plans running between Huntly and Inverurie closed last week and there was acknowledgement at the meeting that the plans have so far been met with a lot of opposition in the region.

In particular, there has been criticism over the lack of communication with farmers and landowners who may be affected as a result of the plans.

Ongoing discussions

Other topics of discussion at the meeting included the continuing issue of rural crime – in particular livestock worrying – and the need for stronger and more effective consequences for those responsible.

Various farmers also spoke out about the problems badgers are causing on their farms and SNP MSP for Banff and Buchan Stewart Stevenson noted that when it comes to tackling climate change, farmers should receive more acknowledgement of the work they are doing to help the environment.

“The way the numbers are gathered is a problem – the emissions from farming are counted but the carbon sequestration isn’t counted in the same way,” said Stewart.

Peter Chapman added: “We’ve got to get the message across that we as farmers are part of the solution, not the problem.”