A national discussion on the future of Scottish agriculture will be kick-started at next week’s Turriff Show.
Farm minister Richard Lochhead will be joined by leading industry figures at a discussion event at the show on Monday August, 3 at 2.30pm.
The event takes place at the NFU Scotland stand, where Mr Lochhead will be joined by NFU Scotland vice president Andrew McCornick, Quality Meat Scotland chairman Jim McLaren, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs agri and rural affairs chairwoman Sarah Allison and red-tape guru Brian Pack.
Farmers attending the show will be asked to attend the discussion, where they will have the chance to share their views and quiz the panel.
“I recently launched a discussion document on the Future of Scottish Agriculture with the aim of prompting conversations across Scotland about what we want farming to look like in this country and what we need to do to deliver this vision,” said Mr Lochhead.
“This event is the ideal way to start a national discussion about the future of Scottish farming, which I would like to see continue around kitchen tables and over the farm gate as well as at industry meetings and the like.”
NFU Scotland vice president Andrew McCornick said: “If our successful food and drink sector is to continue to thrive, then it will require farmers to produce more from the land in Scotland. That needs a vision built on production and ensuring that we get the best price possible for what we produce.
“We need farmers to be innovative and encourage the next generation to continue farming and build on what has already been achieved. Our ambitions must be set high and the Scottish Government needs to follow through with the correct actions and policies that will allow that vision to be fulfilled.”