Carmichael backs farmers in meeting with NFUS leaders and Back British Farming

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has spoken out on the need for stronger government commitments to back farmers and crofters following meetings with the NFUS and Back British Farming this week. Mr Carmichael met with NFUS CEO John Davidson and Director of Policy Jonnie Hall at the Back British Farming event on Wednesday.

Mr Carmichael said:

“Now more than ever we need to celebrate and support the work that farmers and crofters and the agriculture industry do, not just in filling our supermarket shelves but as a lynchpin of the rural economy.

“The cost of food is one of the biggest concerns for families right now. Governments have to remember that what they sometimes call “subsidies for farmers” are really subsidies for the food prices we pay at the shop – payments for consumers and supermarkets. If we want to ensure that cheap food keeps being produced in this country then we have to be realistic about how we achieve that.

“With the agricultural industry facing an uncertain future regarding the future of support payments, there is real anxiety about what the future holds. Whether it is the future of farm payments, fair play on fertiliser costs or any other number of volatile input costs impacting farmers, both our governments need to prioritise the stability of farming and crofting communities.”