SNP urged to guarantee long-term farm funding

NFU Scotland has called on the Scottish government to urgently commit to a multi-annual funding framework for agriculture.

This follows the UK government’s Spending Review, which confirmed the Scottish government’s budget allocations for the next three years.

With the devolved government now having “clear line-of-sight” on its funding, NFU Scotland (NFUS) says there is no excuse for further delays in providing clarity and long-term security to Scotland’s farmers and crofters.

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NFUS president Andrew Connon said: “The Spending Review has delivered the certainty the Scottish government needs.

“It’s time for them to fulfil their repeated commitments to effectively support farming and crofting.”

He added that a multi-annual budget alone is not enough, urging the government to go further by delivering a “significant real-terms increase” in farm support.

“With the move to more conditional support to deliver new outcomes, farmers and crofters can only respond if they have additional direct funding behind them,” he said.

Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesperson and sheep farmer Tim Eagle MSP backed the union’s call, warning that continued delay is increasing anxiety across the sector.

“For too long farmers have been kept in the dark,” said Mr Eagle. “Given the huge challenges they face, a multi-year funding commitment must now be a top priority.

“As a farmer myself, I want to know how I can plan for the future.”

Direct support pledge

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon has reaffirmed the Scottish government’s commitment to direct payments and stability, contrasting the approach with England’s phasing out of such schemes.

“We’re committed to transforming support to deliver a more sustainable and regenerative future for Scottish agriculture,” she said.

However, nearly a year on from the Agricultural and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024, NFUS warns farmers still lack clarity on how the new four-tier support model will operate in practice.

Farmers and crofters will be seeking further clarity from the SNP-ruled Scottish government on its future farm funding plans at this week’s Royal Highland Show (19-22 June), at Ingliston Showground, near Edinburgh.

Both Ms Gougeon and first minister John Swinney are set to attend.