Coming election a silver lining to “dark cloud” of record pessimism for farmers– Carmichael

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called for a new government to put farming and crofting “at the heart” of its work, following NFU revelations that the confidence of farmers is at an all-time low and will lead to a decrease in food production. The NFU made the warning following the release of a survey undertaken by nearly 800 farmers in November and December 2023.

The union’s ‘farmer confidence survey’ found that short and mid-term confidence is at its lowest since records began in 2010. Production intentions have also plummeted, with all farming sectors expecting to decrease production over the next year.

Poor weather over the winter played a significant role, with 82% of respondents saying their farm businesses have suffered fairly negative (52%) or very negative impacts (30%). The NFU warned that if the survey were undertaken again today, the results would be even worse due to the continued bad weather since December.

Commenting on the survey, Mr Carmichael said:

“With chaos in the Scottish government and calamity in the UK government it is little wonder that farmers and crofters are short on confidence for their future. Farmers above all need stability in order to have confidence in the long-term success of their businesses. Instead they have been lumbered with two national governments which alternate between disinterest and contempt for the food producers in our country. 

“Some of the factors which affect confidence for farmers and crofters cannot be changed. The miserable weather we have had in recent months has been a very literal dark cloud over the industry. The one silver lining to that cloud is that there are other factors that we can change – with our votes.

“The events of recent years ought to be a lesson that homegrown food production cannot be taken for granted. We need a government which is clear that farmers and crofters are at the heart of our future as a country, and which will act accordingly.”