Both Westminister and Holyrood Governments were presented at the Turriff Show as politicians put forward their views on the industry.

Defra Minister Michael Gove, who was up visiting family in Aberdeen, toured the show before taking questions at an NFU Scotland panel session. The UK’s farming Minister once again reaffirmed that farmers will not have new barriers put in place when exporting to the continent. Further he stated again that farmers will be appropriately supported post-Brexit with funding at the current level guaranteed until 2022 or the next election. He went onto highlight the importance of exports to the sheep sector before explaining that because the UK imports more than it exports to the EU, it is within Europe’s best interests to get a frictionless trade deal.

When questioned by NFU Scotland Livestock chair Charlie Adam on imports undercutting UK produce, Gove gave assurances that he did not want substandard product to come into the country, saying he would oppose any move in this direction.

However, he did point out that he was not in control of any decisions and that the parliament would have to agree to any new trade deal.

Gillian Martin MSP question the UK farming minister asking “What is an appropriate level of funding for Scottish farmers?” Whilst Michael Gove didn’t explain any detail on how funding will be set in the future he did stress that funding would not be allocated by head of population or through the Barnett formula which currently divides up funding for the devolved administrations.

NFU Scotland’s North East LFA committee representative Jim Innes highlighted to the Cabinet Minister the impact renewable heat incentives were having on fodder and straw. North East farmer Tom Johnstone said north east farmers gave a lot of support to the Conservative party at the last election. But that this was slipping due to farmers being turned off by near constant infighting within the UK government

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also faced questions from farmers at the show in the afternoon. The First Minister was less certain that funding would remain at current levels, “we have a big fear that funding arrangements would move towards a Barnett formula.” Admitting she wasn’t in control of the Brexit deal, she wanted more that “just good faith” that farm funding to Scotland would continue at current levels.