logo
Andrew Connon: I've had a hectic first few months as president

Andrew Connon: I've had a hectic first few months as president

It has been a fast moving 85 days since I was elected president of NFU Scotand (NFUS), with four trips to London already under my belt.
These focused on inheritance tax (IHT), meetings with UK farming unions and intensive political engagement with MPs, UK Government ministers and senior officials at Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs).
There was a meeting at the US Embassy too
I've highlighted our determination to secure a profitable industry and the need for long-term confidence.'
Back in Scotland, I've also met Scottish Government ministers, including the cabinet secretary (for rural affairs) and leaders of the main opposition parties.
With each of them, I've highlighted our determination to secure a profitable industry and the need for long-term confidence.
Meanwhile, a trip to Brussels underlined, among other things, similar challenges being faced by farmers in the EU.
One moment I won't forget was standing on top of a combine in Whitehall, with other farming union presidents, addressing several thousand farmers from all over the UK.
Their thanks and encouragement, when stepping off the combine, reinforced to me that we must never give up on our fight for fairness as regards the injustices announced in the October 30 Budget.
IHT commentary across the industry may have eased but NFUS has written twice to the chancellor in the past fortnight.
This was firstly to highlight again the need for the UK Government to reconsider IHT, National Insurance, the carbon border adjustment mechanism – effectively a fertiliser tax – and capital allowances on essential double-cab pickups.
In addition, the appointment of Minette Batters by Defra to lead a six-month review of farm profitability prompted us to write to the chancellor demanding a postponement of budget announcements, including IHT, until the findings are announced.
Results of the NFUS ShelfWatch initiative were announced last week, covering eight retailers, 290 stores and more than 60,000 products across four phases.
The findings were disappointing. On average, just 17% of products displayed were Scottish, while imported goods now account for 20% of shelf space – a 6% rise on last year.
We have written to and will have meetings with the retailers, the first of which was with Aldi on Monday.
Key asks include increased Scottish sourcing, greater promotion, fair pricing, stronger branding and an end to misleading 'fake farm' labels.
We also want to see an end to seasonal deep discounting – 6p for a bag of carrots, for example, devalues the real value of food.
These conversations also include discussions about the critical mass of our industry, climate change impacts, over-regulation of our producers and a need for increased support from government over stainless steel to add to the supply of Scottish produce.
We're also pointing out the massive opportunity for our industry should we achieve a greater proportion of Scottish produce on the shelves.
This spring has brought tremendous weather, allowing cultivation and field work to make early progress in ideal conditions.
In some areas the crops are in need of moisture, but the establishment of spring and autumn crops has been good and offers promising potential, weather permitting.
But cereal prices remain poor and the continued imports of wheat in particular, understandably, continue to aggravate our arable members. Dialogue continues with merchants, end users and the whisky sector around loyalty, provenance, farm assurance and the need to pay a premium price for a premium product.
Imports, land use pressures and alternative cropping options are also being highlighted in conversations which will continue.#
It has also been a grand spring for lambing and calving. Hopefully, positivity in these sectors will remain firm, held up by strong prices.
However, as lambing got under way, my phone was busy with disturbing calls about predation. The devastation caused by ravens, sea eagles and badgers is spiralling and must be urgently addressed.
Considerable efforts by NFUS have seen the delivery of enhanced mitigation funding for sea eagles. This has to be welcomed but it remains to be seen how effective it will be.
Ravens are doing horrendous damage in some areas of Scotland.
And badgers – Scotland's most common apex predator – are causing considerable damage, not only to friendly nature but by killing lambs, which is a growing problem.
We have meetings with NatureScot in the next few weeks and these issues, as well as the need for appropriate action, will be firmly highlighted.
The threat of animal disease to our industry is widely discussed and very real. Foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever are in Europe, with Blue Tongue, Schmalllenberg and avian influenza already in the UK. These pose a huge concern.
Vigilance by farmers and crofters is essential. We continue to lobby government on tighter border controls, while Blue Tongue vaccination and control measures are being widely discussed with industry stakeholders and government officials.
A farm visit to the Coupar Angus area last week highlighted the enormous damage caused by beavers and the serious threat they pose to business viability. Separate meetings with NatureScot are already scheduled to address this issue.
Meanwhile, the sight of yet more sediment-filled rivers underlines the ongoing lack of common sense and inaction from government on this matter.
Common sense must return to rural policy and that is something I am determined to see delivered.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Welsh FM accused of doing ‘nothing' to protect pensioners from winter fuel cut
Welsh FM accused of doing ‘nothing' to protect pensioners from winter fuel cut

Western Telegraph

time19 minutes ago

  • Western Telegraph

Welsh FM accused of doing ‘nothing' to protect pensioners from winter fuel cut

Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, called for Eluned Morgan to apologise to the pensioners affected by the change last winter, arguing the Welsh Government should have stepped in to support those in need. Speaking during First Minister's Questions on Tuesday, Mr Millar said the cut had forced vulnerable people to choose between heating and eating. Baroness Morgan, leader of the Welsh Labour Government, said she was 'absolutely delighted' that the UK Government had reversed the cut for many. The payment, worth up to £300, will be restored to the vast majority of pensioners, with anyone with an income of under £35,000 a year now getting the payment automatically. The decision last July to restrict the winter fuel payment to the poorest pensioners was intended to save around £1.5 billion a year, with more than nine million people who would have previously been eligible losing out. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, announced the partial U-turn on Monday, following significant backlash from charities, opposition MPs and the Government's own backbenchers. Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Millar said: 'Yesterday we saw a screeching U-turn on the winter fuel allowance by Rachel Reeves, after considerable pressure from the Conservative Party. 'You will know that over half a million Welsh pensioners were deprived of their winter fuel payments last year, leaving some very vulnerable people with the unenvious choice of having to choose between heating and eating – it's an absolute disgrace. 'You are meant to stand up for Wales but what did you actually do in terms of this winter fuel allowance? You did absolutely nothing.' Mr Millar argued Baroness Morgan should have implemented a Welsh winter fuel payment or stood up to Sir Keir Starmer and demanded the payment be restored sooner. Baroness Morgan responded that she was 'absolutely delighted' that Sir Keir Starmer had listened to pensioners in Wales and across the country. 'I'm really pleased that because we have made representations to the Prime Minister on this issue that he has changed his mind and that will make a difference to hundreds of thousands of pensioners across Wales this winter, in a country where we do have more older people and housing which is more difficult to heat. 'I don't think that it's bad to listen to people and then to make sure that you respond to them.' Baroness Morgan had previously pushed back against the cut, having called for a 'rethink' in early May, saying it was something 'that comes up time and again'. At the time, the Government said there would 'not be a change to the Government's policy'. On Monday, Ms Reeves suggested that the 'stability we've brought back to the economy' meant the Government was able to change the eligibility threshold for winter fuel payments.

Decade of growth results in Deputy MD appointment
Decade of growth results in Deputy MD appointment

Scotsman

time20 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

Decade of growth results in Deputy MD appointment

A Scottish public relations agency has unveiled a strengthened leadership team, spearheaded by the appointment of long-serving team member Chris Fairbairn as deputy managing director. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The move sees Chris, a Chartered PR Practitioner and father-of-three from Edinburgh, step into the newly created role after more than a decade with the Leith-based firm. His appointment headlines a series of promotions at Holyrood PR, which is coming off the back of a record financial year. Also promoted are Chirene Campbell to account director, and Rachael Martin and Lewis Robertson to account managers – all reflecting the agency's continued growth across both consumer and corporate PR work. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chris began his journey with Holyrood PR as an intern in 2014 and quickly progressed through the ranks, becoming a vital part of the senior leadership team at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. L-R - Lewis Robertson, Rachael Martin, Chirene Campbell, Chris Fairbairn He said: 'This promotion is the next step in a journey that started more than 10 years ago. I've been incredibly fortunate to work with people who've supported and challenged me in equal measure. 'From the outset, I've been given the freedom to learn, take responsibility and grow. The development opportunities here are second to none – and I hope I can now help provide that same support for others. 'It's a real privilege to step into this role at a time when the agency is thriving and expanding into new areas. Our team continues to evolve and it's an exciting time to be part of the agency's next chapter.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Founded in 2002, Holyrood PR has grown to become one of Scotland's leading independent PR agencies. The 13-strong team specialises in award-winning media relations and is recognised as an early adopter of digital PR and social media. The agency works with major organisations including Scottish Water, Cala Homes, Scottish Fishermen's Federation, Business Stream and Mackie's of Scotland – and has added a raft of new clients in recent months, including Water Direct, Merchiston Castle School, Waterfront Private Hospital and the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa Edinburgh. Scott Douglas, managing director and founder of Holyrood PR, said: 'Chris is a shining example of the culture we've built here – one of growth, ambition and long-term commitment. 'He's been a central figure in the agency's development, helping deliver year-on-year growth through his leadership, creativity and unwavering commitment to client success. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This is also a moment to celebrate our wider team. Chirene, Rachael and Lewis have each contributed to our recent successes and its testament to their aptitude and attitude that we are able to make these merited promotions from within.' Over the past 12 months, the agency has also strengthened its in-house digital offering, delivering organic and paid social media support to existing and new clients, both as an integrated communications package for clients, or as a standalone service.

Acorn carbon capture project funding to finally be announced in Rachel Reeves spending review
Acorn carbon capture project funding to finally be announced in Rachel Reeves spending review

Scotsman

time21 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

Acorn carbon capture project funding to finally be announced in Rachel Reeves spending review

Details of funding for the Acorn project are set to be announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as part of Wednesday's Spending Review. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Funding for the Acorn project in Aberdeenshire is finally expected to be announced in the UK government's spending review. The carbon capture project, based in St Fergus, would take greenhouse gas emissions and store them under the North Sea, in a process known as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The planned Acorn carbon capture site. Last month UK energy minister Michael Shanks stressed his department was lobbying the Chancellor to sign off funding for the crucial project, which is now set to be announced in Wednesday's spending review. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, ministers were asked several times about funding for the project. UK energy minister Sarah Jones told MPs they did not have long to wait long for more information. She said: "We have always been clear that we support the Acorn project. We know what an important proposal it is. The decision is a matter for a spending review but we are very close to having those decisions". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Acorn project, which would be based near Peterhead, has been in the pipeline for years and would allow fossil fuels to continue to be burnt without, in theory, releasing harmful carbon emissions. The project is seen as key to scaling up the low-carbon hydrogen sector in Scotland and future plans for Grangemouth, but the technology has not yet been demonstrated at commercial scale. With the project based in his the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency, local SNP Seamus Logan welcomed the announcement. He said: 'As the local MP for the Acorn project, I cautiously welcome this long-overdue commitment that funding and full details will finally be announced for Scottish carbon capture at the spending review tomorrow, after years of campaigning by the SNP and the Scottish energy sector. England has been allocated £22billion for carbon capture, so I would expect investment in Scotland to be at a commensurate level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'After decades of broken promises, funding snubs and delays from Westminster - including over the past year - it is essential that adequate funding, full details and a concrete commitment to the project is now delivered by the UK government at pace - and the devil will be in the detail of the announcement, which we will study carefully. 'Scotland has repeatedly been treated as an afterthought by the Labour government, with money being ploughed into projects in the south of England instead, and thousands of Scottish energy jobs lost in the north east of Scotland as a result of Keir Starmer's damaging policies. That must now change - and funding for Scottish carbon capture must mark the beginning of a substantial programme of investment in Scotland's energy sector to create jobs, lower energy bills and boost economic growth.' Business leaders and organisations including the Scottish Chambers of Commerce had signed a letter in March urging the chancellor to back the project. It argued that the project had faced two decades of setbacks, and that it is needed to help Scottish industry decarbonise. The project missed out on support in 2021, and Acorn was placed on a reserve list for future backing.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store