Farmers deserve recognition for ‘green credentials’ says NFUS

Scottish farmers and crofters must be properly recognised for their contributions to environmental sustainability, which underpin the global reputation of Scottish food and drink.

That was the main message from outgoing NFU Scotland (NFUS) president Martin Kennedy when he delivered his final address at the annual autumn conference on Thursday 24 October.

Speaking at the Royal Highland Showground, near Edinburgh, Mr Kennedy expressed the need to protect these “green credentials” against challenges such as corporate greenwashing and poorly managed rewilding projects.

See also: Firing gun started on NFU Scotland presidential elections

He criticised the current rewilding initiatives for their potential to harm rural communities by depopulating vast areas of land and increasing wildfire risks.

Mr Kennedy said that with modest adjustments to traditional farming practices – such as carbon audits and soil testing – farmers could achieve greater environmental outcomes than rewilding projects.

He also highlighted the importance of future agricultural policies focusing on food production, backed by appropriate government funding, as crucial for ensuring the success of Scotland’s farming and crofting sectors.

The address touched on various policy and economic challenges facing the industry, including market pressures on sectors such as beef, sheep, and cereals, and the need for Scottish and UK governments to provide adequate support through robust budgets.

Beavers and sea eagles

Mr Kennedy also raised concerns about river and species management, highlighting the detrimental effects of inadequate maintenance and species, such as beavers and sea eagles on farming operations.

In his conclusion, Mr Kennedy reiterated the importance of government action to support local food production and sustain rural economies, urging policymakers to remove unnecessary hurdles that hinder farmers’ ability to thrive.

“Provided our future policy focus continues in the right direction, with food production at the heart of it, and that is backed by a robust funding package from next week’s UK government budget, then we can deliver on the many asks that society has of Scottish farming and crofting today,” he said.

Mr Kennedy will step down as NFUS president in February 2025. Nominations for his successor are now being taken.