Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has said multi-year funding could provide some much-needed stability for rural businesses across the region.
A commitment to guarantee multi-year funding for farmers, crofters and the wider agricultural sector was announced by party leader Russell Findlay MSP at the Royal Highland Show last week and will be at the heart of the Scottish Conservative manifesto at next year's Holyrood elections.
Mr Findlay said the agricultural sector was the “backbone of rural Scotland” and accused the current SNP government of keeping farmers in the dark on what future agricultural support would look like.
Jamie Halcro Johnston, who is Shadow Agriculture Minister and whose family farm in Orkney, said this key policy pledge from the Scottish Conservatives highlighted his party's commitment to rural Scotland and to farming communities.
Mr Halcro Johnston said:
“This is a clear and welcome commitment to agricultural communities across the Highlands and Islands, where farming and crofting are so vital to both our local economies and our way of life.
“I’ve been working closely with colleagues across the party to ensure this pledge reflects the real needs of rural and island Scotland. It’s a direct response to the concerns I’ve heard from farmers and crofters right across the region who are desperate for some long-term clarity after years of SNP mismanagement and indecision.
“Instead of the continued uncertainty we’ve seen under successive SNP rural ministers, the Scottish Conservatives will guarantee multi-year funding arrangements. This will help give our farmers more confidence when planning ahead and investing in our businesses.
“It shows that we're listening to Scottish farmers and putting them right at the heart of the policy development we're doing ahead of next year's Holyrood elections.
“This announcement on multi-year funding is the result of listening, engaging and acting. It shows that the Scottish Conservatives are serious about delivering for those people and businesses working in agriculture across the Highlands and Islands.
"But it is just the start, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work with colleagues as we develop our full offering for rural and island communities".
