Scottish independence was not officially on the SNP conference agenda, but the issue was still raised in the NFUS fringe event question and answer session.

NFUS president Andrew McCornick, stoutly defended NFU Scotland’s decision not to take sides in the Scottish independence argument, telling the audience at the union’s fringe event that NFUS is “apolitical”. “We will always remain apolitical. My focus is not on politics, but on agriculture, farming and crofting.”

One delegate heckled that this was a “cop-out”, but McCornick said he “would not relent” on his stance.

Policy director Jonnie Hall was adamant that the union must speak to all parties in securing the best deal for Scottish agriculture post-Brexit. “Why are we here in Glasgow, and why were we at the Tory party conference? Because if we’re not there, who is?

“We know we’ve got a challenge from Defra. Regardless of party politics, we have to stand up for Scotland. And we’re standing up for Scottish agriculture,” Hall said.