Lochhead Launches SNP Farming Manifesto

PROMINENT FARMERS BACK SNP SECOND TERM

SNP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead today (Monday) launched the SNP’s Farming Manifesto as he met with farmers in Argyll & Bute.

Mr Lochhead said he was proud to stand on the record of an SNP Government which had achieved so much for Scotland’s farming communities but stressed that upcoming CAP reform made re-electing an SNP Government more crucial than ever.


The SNP’s commitment to the farming sector was endorsed by leading figures from across the industry.

While in Argyll & Bute, Mr Lochhead recieved the backing of former NFU Argyll Chairman, Bert Leitch who said:

“Through Richard Lochhead’s drive and commitment, the SNP has served Scottish agriculture extremely well over the past four years, particularly in its support for vulnerable livestock production here on the west coast."

Commenting as he launched the manifesto in Tarbert with SNP Candidate for Argyll & Bute, Mike Russell, Mr Lochhead said:

“Scotland’s farming community is central to Scotland’s success. Our farmers and food producers protect our food supply and steward our stunning scenery.

“Over the past four years, I have been proud to serve Scotland’s farmers as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in an SNP Government which has delivered for rural communities.

“The SNP has put agriculture and food at the heart of its agenda in Government and provided our farmers and crofters with a voice in UK and Europe. We have stood shoulder to shoulder with our farmers through the challenges of recent years and repeatedly delivered for the industry in its hour of need.

“This special farming manifesto illustrates the SNP’s commitment to continuing act in the best interests of Scottish agriculture sector. We will preserve the success achieved so far and work with the sector to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the challenges of food security, energy security and tackling climate change.

"The next few years will be crucial to the industry's long term future as CAP reform gets underway.

“Only the SNP will stand up to the UK Treasury as it attempts to grab back £500m vital EU support for Scotland’s farmers. If the London parties had their way, thousands of jobs would be lost and parts of rural Scotland would be turned into a desert."

Endorsements from senior figures in Scotland’s farming community:

Bert Leitch, former Argyll NFU chairman from Mull:

“Through Richard Lochhead’s drive and commitment, the SNP has served Scottish agriculture extremely well over the past four years, particularly in its support for vulnerable livestock production here on the west coast.”

John Cameron, Fife farmer, former NFU President, President of the NSA:

“The SNP deserve another kick at the ball!”

Jim Walker, former NFU President and MD of Argent Energy:

“The SNP Government’s track record on farming speaks for itself and given the major decisions that lie ahead, particularly in Europe, we need them back in office to ensure Scotland’s voice is heard.”

John Kinnaird, partner in a family farm business in East Lothian and past NFU Scotland President:

“I am backing the SNP for a second term in Government as they have proved themselves to be a full partner in farming, rural issues and especially Scotland at large.”

Jim Brown, Lanarkshire based leading beef farmer and well known agricultural columnist:

“As one of Scotland’s larger beef producers, I can say that the SNP has done more to understand farming challenges in the past four years than I can ever recall from any other Political Party.”

Angus McCall, tenant farmer from Golspie in Sutherland:

“The next few years will be crucial for Scottish agriculture as we negotiate a new CAP regime. Scotland needs continuity of policy and a strong government which understands rural issues and is prepared to fight our corner. The Scottish Government under the SNP has shown what it can do and Richard Lochhead has led a team which has had the interests of Scottish farming at heart.”

Freda Scott-Park, Loch Lomond-side farmer and veterinary surgeon:

“At last the value of Scotland’s farms, their land and their produce have been recognized by a political party; over the last 4 years the SNP has been good for Scottish agriculture and I will feel more confident for the future of our farm if the SNP are re-elected in May 2011.”

SNP to launch farming manifesto

Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead, will today launch the SNP's Farming Manifesto in Argyll. This follows the launch of the SNP's national manifesto which set out key priorities for rural Scotland including accelerated roll-out of superfast broadband as part of the our proposed £50 million Next Generation Digital Fund.

This investment is made possible as a result of the £330 million saving on the cost of the Forth Replacement Crossing. It will ensure that families and businesses in rural Scotland are not left behind with fair access to new generation digital connectivity.

Other SNP priorities include job creation through the further expansion of Scotland's food and drink industry - a sector that has seen 30% growth since the SNP took office. The SNP will take forward a policy that is focused on food production and adding value for Scotland's food producers.

In advance of today's launch, Richard Lochhead has been endorsed by the “elder statesman” of Scottish farming, Fife farmer John Cameron. Writing in the Scottish Farmer Mr Cameron said the industry has been “fortunate” to have been represented by Richard Lochhead and that Mr Lochhead has “served the industry well and is worthy of another term in office.”

John Cameron’s endorsement comes after he received assurances from First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond that the SNP would continue to give rural affairs the same priority, with Richard Lochhead as Cabinet Secretary, should the party be re-elected on 5 May. Mr Cameron joins Lady Claire MacDonald and Angus McColl, leader of Scotland’s Tenant Farmers Association, in supporting Richard Lochhead as Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary.

In the Scottish Farmer John Cameron writes:

“I have already referred to the importance of the calibre of the Minister/Cabinet Secretary appointed to head up Agriculture and I hear the question being asked. 'In the event of another SNP administration will Richard Lochhead be re-appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture?' Trying to take as many ponderables out of the equation as possible I had the opportunity of a conversation with the First Minister, Alex Salmond – at which I asked a direct question regarding Richard Lochhead’s re-appointment to Rural Affairs and Agriculture and I was pleased to receive an assurance from the First Minister in the affirmative. The commitment to rural and agricultural issues from the present administration has been refreshing and heartening and if people so choose at the coming election then we can have Richard Lochhead continue as our Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture. In my opinion the present Minister has served the industry well and is worthy of another term in office. As the old saying goes ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!’”

Reaffirming the SNP’s commitment to rural affairs SNP leader Alex Salmond said:

"When the SNP was elected in May 2007 we were determined to have an administration that recognised the massive contribution that our farmers and fishermen make to our economic and environmental well being. They deserve a Government that stands up for their interests here in Scotland as well as in Brussels and London. Richard Lochhead has been a powerful advocate for our rural communities throughout his time in Government. Initiatives such as Scotland's first New Entrants Scheme encouraging a new generation of farmers and the Conservation Credits Scheme that has made our fishermen integral to the fisheries decision making process have been ground breaking. However challenges remain and Scotland needs a strong and experienced voice especially with changes due to CAP and long overdue changes to a broken European fisheries policy that will be decided during the next administration."

Mr Salmond added,

"there is a long way to go in this election, but if the SNP is re-elected in May I will certainly maintain a Cabinet Level Secretary responsible for Rural Affairs, and if he is re-elected in Moray then Richard Lochhead will continue in that role. John Cameron, Lady Claire MacDonald and Angus McColl have all made clear to me how much Richard is valued by the industry. Richard has done a great job and with the re-elected SNP Government we are working hard to achieve, he offers the industry the continuity that is needed at a difficult time. The priority is ensuring that Rural Scotland has a strong voice in Government."