Holyrood reception cultivates support for Scotland’s food and agriculture supply chain
Scottish politicians, businesses and industry stakeholders joined AIC Scotland and the Food & Agriculture Stakeholder Taskforce (FAST) for a parliamentary reception at Holyrood on 22 May.
The well-attended event saw a wide range of agricultural organisations and stakeholders, including AIC Member businesses, come together with Scottish ministers and MSPs from across the political spectrum.
AIC Scotland and its Members used the opportunity to engage directly with MSPs on a range of issues; from food security and trade to sustainability.
It comes as the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill progresses through the Scottish Parliament. The legislation underpins the Scottish Government's five-year plan for providing support to agricultural businesses.
About the Food & Agriculture Stakeholder Taskforce (FAST)
The 16 founding organisations of FAST are: Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), National Beef Association (NBA), National Sheep Association Scotland (NSA Scotland), NFU Scotland (NFUS), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI), Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd (SAOS), Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW), Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC), Scottish Beef Association (SBA), Scottish Craft Butchers, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE).
FAST first met in September 2022 and speaks collaboratively as a united voice for Scottish agriculture on common objectives.
The group seeks to identify the most effective proactive and reactive action for the industry in response to opportunities and threats affecting Scottish food production and farming through changing policy.
Throughout May, FAST has provided information to MSPs ahead of the amendments being considered at Stage 2 of the Bill.
This reflects the group’s desire for policy that supports agricultural businesses and communities and ensures a robust level of expert scrutiny from the sector.
The event was hosted by Elena Whitham MSP and provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the economic importance of the entire agri-food supply chain in Scotland.
Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, also gave an address highlighting the important UK Government objective of Scotland retaining at least 17% of the total farm budget going forward, as well as supporting the calls for extra funding for the overall farm budget.
UK General Election asks
Find out more about AIC Scotland's 2024 General Election manifesto, with three key asks of the next UK Government on food security, trade and sustainability.
Click below to view and download a PDF copy of the manifesto or visit the General Election webpage.
Members can sign up for a free webinar on 10 June 2024, where AIC will provide an overview of the main political parties' manifesto pledges, the implications for key legislation, and AIC's priorities.
For more information and to register for the webinar, Members can click below.
Author
Oli Hill
As Communications Manager, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.