Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton took part in a virtual meeting alongside MSP colleagues and representatives from NFU Scotland on Monday to discuss the effects of Putin’s war with Ukraine on farming in Scotland.
One of the key themes of the meeting included the increasingly concerning issue of food security, with a focus on bolstering the resilience of Scotland’s food supply chain.
Other items of business covered the impact of the rising cost of feed and fuel, alongside the influence the war is having on the availability of fertiliser.
Ms Hamilton was keen to underline the need for the Scottish Government to enable farmers to improve the resilience of the food supply chain in the Scottish Borders and across Scotland
Rachael Hamilton said:
“It is absolutely critical that the Scottish Government responds appropriately to the pressures farmers and food supply chains are facing as a result of Putin’s abhorrent invasion of Ukraine
“The NFUS are right to call for arable productive land to be prioritised at this moment in time for food rather than for other uses. This will ensure we can maintain healthy supplies of proteins, pulses and essential grains as global supplies are squeezed.
“The Scottish Government should consider a Food Security Impact Assessment requirement before agreeing to largescale forestry expansion to ensure productive land is used to ensure Scotland is resilient to global disruption.
“However, my thoughts remain with the incredibly defiant, courageous and patriotic Ukrainian people. Their suffering at the hands of Russia’s aggression makes the hardship we are facing seem almost trivial.
“That does not mean to say that we should act swiftly to address the issues highlighted in this meeting"
