Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill – an opportunity to build confidence
SAMW response to the Scottish Government’s publication of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill:
“This an important step in allowing Ministers to make new payments and create new payment schemes for farmers. The decisions taken now are vital to underpin the Scottish red meat sector which is worth more than £2.8bn and provides jobs for more than 39,000 people.
“What the industry needs to know is that there is support for livestock production in Scotland and that the support will be used to drive efficiency and reverse the decline in livestock numbers. Investment by farmers and meat processors is determined by confidence in the future. Now is an opportunity to set a future path that will build confidence across the industry.”