Farming Ministers and industry agree action

UK Farming Ministers and industry leaders have agreed to work together on urgent action to support farmers.

At a meeting in London on 17 August, attended by Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead and NFUS President Allan Bowie, Farming Ministers from across the UK recognised the serious problems facing the industry and agreed urgent action was needed.

This will include agreeing commitments on issues such as branding, contracts and sourcing - initially for milk with a view to extending it to other products including lamb - helping to ensure farmers get a fair price for their produce.

Ministers and industry leaders also agreed to work together on a list of commitments that supermarkets and the food service sector will be asked to sign up to, and to work to ensure the EU summit in September agrees action that offers the best possible support for the sector.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "There is no doubt that the farming industry is facing serious challenges, with farmers not even getting back the cost of production. This is a global issue and we need urgent action at a Scottish, UK and EU level to support the industry.

"I am pleased that Farming Ministers and industry leaders from across the UK will now urgently agree a list of commitments to support farmers that we will ask supermarkets and the food service sector to sign up to, including action on sourcing, labelling, contracts and contract conditions.

"We need to act before it's too late and this will help make sure that happens and I encourage the food industry to step up to the plate and support farmers in their hour of need to prevent any potential loss of supply.

"However, this is a global issue and we also need the EU Commission to do more. That is why we will closely investigate how the EU can best help the sector and ensure this is raised at the forthcoming summit to ensure farmers get the help they need at every level."

Find out more on the Scottish Government website.