FERGUS EWING MSP
Agriculture Industry
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hroughout this difficult year our people across the agriculture industry have continued to work tirelessly to put food on the table for the people of our nation and they have our heartfelt thanks. As Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Tourism in the Scottish Government we want to provide them with the financial support and certainty that they need to continue their work and support our wider rural economy. We have been the first part of the UK to start getting 2020 monies out to farmers and crofters. Our intention with this strategy is to make payments at the same time or, in some cases, earlier than last year. It is important to note that we set this strategy with confidence that we will meet these timelines but there are some risks to delivery that remain. The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic remains a challenge as well as the disruptive effect of a disorderly Brexit. With so many unknowns and the potential for a no deal Brexit, the strategy may be at risk if we need to deliver emergency support at short notice. But we will do everything we can to ensure farmers and crofters get their support payments on time. The food and drink industry is one of the true success stories of Scotland’s economy, with exports worth a record £6.7 billion in 2019. Across the country, particularly in many of our rural areas, the sector creates highly paid, highly skilled jobs and contributes directly to the public purse in taxes. It has also been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19.
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Food and drink businesses have shown remarkable resilience and innovation in responding to the pandemic, from finding new routes to market themselves or in the actions
they have taken to support their workforce and keep food on our tables. However, in addition to the many challenges presented by COVID-19, we now need to prepare for the disruption and uncertainty the end of the Brexit transition period will bring in just six weeks’ time. The Scottish Government is providing £5 million to support a food and drink recovery plan to be delivered to allow the industry to work together on fairer, greener and sustainable solutions to the challenges that lie ahead. Scotland is home to much of the world’s greatest produce and we must do all we can to protect and promote it. And we can all play our part. We will all be stocking up on food for the festive period – if you can, please try to support Scottish produce and local suppliers, shops and businesses. We all need to “love local” and rally together as families and communities to get through these tough times. The Scottish Government’s recently refreshed Ready Scotland website (ready.scot) provides a range of information for anyone looking for support during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as advice on preparing for winter weather. It also provides guidance for those who wish to help out those around them, whether on an individual basis or through volunteering with local community groups or charities.
