The clock is ticking towards the ‘Brexit’ date of 19 March 2019 and NFU Scotland remains on the front foot.

The Union received input from hundreds of members at its Brexit roadshows in November. This strong engagement and steer from our members will allow NFU Scotland to put a robust case to government on how Scottish agriculture should be supported after we leave the EU.

A paper detailing the findings of the roadshow will be collated before Christmas and put to members and governments in due course.

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Parliamentary affairs manager Clare Slipper said: “A clear message that has come from these meetings is that NFU Scotland members see that ‘Change’ is coming and are up for the task of readying their businesses for that change.

“We are already pushing UK Government and key Brexit negotiators to recognise that farmers and crofters’ efforts to ready themselves for life outside the EU will be hampered if they are not supported, through a period of transition, to new trading frameworks with the EU and international partners. They also need an operating environment where access to non-UK labour for on-farm and off-farm positions may be limited,” Slipper said.

“Progress on negotiations on trade and labour remains scarce and it remains an unerring goal of NFU Scotland to ensure these fundamental issues are not seen as expendable for political gain.

Meeting with politicians

“It is more important than ever that Union representatives continue to meet politicians of all parties and parliaments at any given opportunity to ensure these priorities are heard.

“In 2017, we achieved unprecedented levels of exposure to key decision-makers – spending 26 full days in Holyrood and Westminster, meeting more than 75 parliamentarians and 18 government ministers. NFU Scotland also contributed to 15 parliamentary inquiries, attended two party conferences and has hosted MPs, MSPs and government ministers on countless farm visits and at agricultural shows.”

Volkswagen discount

Last year, NFU Scotland’s affinity deals saved our members a staggering £1.6m and that is set to continue with the introduction of our newest partner, Volkswagen Commercial. This affinity not only gives members discounts on the Amarok pickup but also the Caddy, Transporter, Caravelle, Transporter Shuttle and Crafter. To find out the discount rates log on to the members section of www.nfus.org.uk, call 0131 472 4187 or visit your local dealer.

Exiting the business?

Dumfries and Galloway are recruiting for this year’s Prince’s Farm resilience programme. This is aimed at family farming businesses with less than 200 cows or three employees. It is suitable to those looking to retire or exit the business and are wondering how to do this or to look at options to share-farm/contract-farm. To discuss the programme further please contact Heather Wildman on 07773 519995.

Quad bike safety

South of Scotland MSP Emma Harper is driving the #Hingyerhelmet campaign, which aims to reduce preventable head injuries by reminding farmers and other agricultural workers to always wear a helmet when riding quad bikes. By completing the very short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/QZKNH79 specialists will be able to gather the information we need to help reduce the number of head injuries sustained by quad bike riders.

Post-Brexit priorities

NFU Scotland’s Change document, ‘Post-Brexit Priorities for Legislative CHANGE’ outlines the key areas of legislation which could be removed or altered once we have left the EU. Areas which NFUS would like to see change include greening, the ‘three-crop rule’, sheep and cattle EIDs, NVZs and mapping frequency to name a few. For more information, you can view it at www.nfus.org.uk