Borders politicians have backed calls for the UK Treasury to provide farmers in the Borders with long-term financial certainty.
The UK Government has committed to maintain farm funding at the same level to 2024/25, the end of the current parliament.
UK Government funding streams are worth £620 million to Scottish farming every year.
However, increasing production costs and broader uncertainty around global events mean that farmers are finding it harder to turn a profit without guaranteed support.
In a bid to extend the UK Government’s funding commitments, John Lamont MP, alongside two of his Scottish Conservative colleagues, has sought a meeting with Exchequer Secretary Helen Whately.
Rachael Hamilton MSP has welcomed her Westminster colleagues’ efforts to secure the funding extension, but warned that without engagement from the Scottish Government, these payments may not provide a the full solution to the problems Scottish farmers are facing.
The intervention follows briefings from NFU Scotland figures and Westminster's all-party farming group chairwoman Fay Jones.
John Lamont MP said:
Extending the direct support commitment will boost confidence in both our farming sector and the supply chain.
I know that the new agricultural support system that will be in place by 2028 will be far more tailored to the needs of farmers here in the Borders and across Scotland. But until that is in place, we must do our best to support this industry through the challenges it is facing.
It's not just about business - it's about protecting rural communities which depend on the jobs, produce and natural advantages they provide.
I look forward to engaging with colleagues from the Treasury on this matter. I am clear that we must take this issue very seriously, and that supporting our farmers during this challenging period must remain a priority"
