National Farmers Union of Scotland news

Considering what future support for arable farming might look like once the UK leaves the European Union has led to the Union’s influential Combinable Crops committee calling for the Russell Grigg’s Greening Group report to be made available.

The announcement that Professor Russell Grigg was to lead a group looking at Greening was made at the NFU Scotland conference in February 2017.

Publication of the Grigg’s Group report would enable further work to be done on what future support for arable farming might look like post-Brexit when the Scottish Government can determine its own agricultural policy.

Committee chairman Ian Sands said: “Protection of the environment will continue to be important post-Brexit. Instead of a ‘one size fits all’ policy, Scottish Government will have the opportunity to target measures that are more appropriate to Scotland.

“That was something that the Union and the Scottish Government pushed for during the negotiation of the last round of Common Agricultural Policy reforms. We didn’t get it and instead ended up with a highly complex package that has satisfied no one.

“NFUS wants to see farmers rewarded for existing good environmental standards that already protect Scotland’s countryside. That should include payment for measures that go beyond good farming practice, set at a level that encourages uptake.

“It is vital that Scottish farmers can continue to be competitive in growing crops that form the raw material for so much of Scotland’s food, drink and feed exports. What we are lacking, however, is information on what Scotland’s real environmental needs are.

“NFUS members have assisted that process by hosting farm visits by Professor Grigg’s Group in 2017 but we are still waiting to see the group’s views.

“It would be very helpful if the report was available to industry and other stakeholders by the time of the Union’s conference in Glasgow in February – exactly a year after the initial announcement on the group’s formation.”

Brexit debate

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick will join Scottish Secretary of State David Mundell in a Brexit debate on 18 January in Dumfries.

The event, at the Barony campus at 7pm, will also feature talks by two SRUC economists followed by a panel discussion. Those wishing to attend the event are asked to contact the SAC Consulting Dumfries office on 01387 261 172 or frbsdumfries@sac.co.uk.

NFUS Women’s Network

This year will see the launch of the NFUS Women’s Network. Open to all NFUS members, the purpose of the network is to facilitate and encourage the involvement of women within the membership of the Union. If interested, then join the 200 who have already signed up at the network’s new Facebook page at: facebook.com/groups/1596095297135149/

Regional AGMs

A busy week of Regional AGMs coming up. On Monday 15 January the Ayrshire event will be at We Hae Meat, Cairnhill, Old Dailly (10am for Regional Board; 11am for members day). Later that same day, Dumfries & Galloway AGM will be at Threave Visitors Centre (5pm for Regional Board; 7.30pm for open meeting).

Lothian and Borders AGM

On Tuesday 16 January, Lothian & Borders AGM will be at Carfraemill (4pm for Regional AGM; 7.30pm for members night). On 17 January – the Northeast AGM will be at Lochter (3pm for Regional Board; 7pm for open meeting) and the Highland Region AGM will be at Dingwall Mart on Thursday 18 January (7.30pm for open meeting).