Moray MP Douglas Ross says that progress on future farming policy hasn’t moved “anywhere near quickly enough” under the stewardship of SNP ministers.
Douglas’ call comes after he addressed a rally led by the National Farmers Union of Scotland outside the Scottish Parliament as they demanded that their voices be heard by the SNP-Green government.
Douglas, who was a farm worker prior to his election and also attended the Scottish Agricultural College said that the SNP-Green’s current consultation on the Agricultural Bill offers “no detail, no vision and no ambition for the industry and that has to change.”
He wants to make sure that the sector’s voice is heard “loud and clear” during the consultation to ensure that food production and food security is at the top of the political agenda in Holyrood.
Douglas says he completely understands that the industry is frustrated that not enough has been done to support them in recent years and they are keen to be reassured that politicians are on their side.
He praised all the work being done by NFUS to ensure that farming is at the top of the political agenda and that the time for talking is should and action must now be delivered.
Douglas concluded that alongside his Scottish Conservative colleagues he will strive to deliver for not only current generations, but future generations of farmers in Moray and that local farmers will still be able to produce the outstanding food people love.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to address the NFUS rally outside Holyrood. I applaud all their work that they have done to bring the future of food production and agricultural policy to the top of political agenda.
“The fact that several hundred farmers from across Scotland came to the Parliament shows how vital it is that their views are heard and acted upon.
“Sadly, their concerns over the slow progress have not been actioned by SNP-Green ministers. They have produced a consultation which offers no detail, no vision and no ambition for the future of the industry in Moray and across Scotland.
“Progress has simply not moved anywhere near quickly enough. The frustration among farmers including from Moray today was vividly on show.
“Guaranteeing food production and food security for current and future generations must be at the heart of this agricultural bill but that clarity has been sorely lacking from the SNP Rural Affairs Secretary.
“Alongside my Scottish Conservative colleagues, I am determined to ensure that this bill meets the needs of the sector.
“The time for talking is now over and we must now deliver for those farmers in Moray desperate to see some much-needed detail on how their future production will look.”