Profitability first: Scottish agriculture stands united to face the future

Markets are volatile. Policies shift fast. Weather is more extreme than ever, and budgets are tight. Change brings uncertainty, but it also brings opportunity. The key is focus. At NFU Scotland, everything we do revolves around one goal: resilience and profitability for our members. Without it, there is nothing to build on - less food, less climate action, less jobs in our rural communities.

Last year, the threat of Inheritance Tax reforms caused real alarm across Scotland. Family farms faced uncertainty, and futures were at risk. But we did not stand by. NFU Scotland called these proposals unjust, unworkable, and out of touch. Then our members acted. Local farm meetings with MPs, letters, and visits to Westminster brought together over ten thousand farmers from across the UK. The result was a success: the APR and BPR threshold is now £2.5 million per spouse. I want to thank our members for their commitment and acknowledge the support from many Scottish MPs, including Alistair Carmichael MP for his consistent support, the opposition MPs who fought hard, as well as the Scottish Labour MPs who stood up and defended the agricultural industry prior to the UK Government’s rethink. But the fight isn’t finished.

Farmers must never be punished for passing on their businesses to family. Looking ahead to 2026, two issues will define profitability: future farm support and policy, and fairness in the supply chain. Everything else flows from these priorities. This year is an election year, and the next Parliament may bring decisions that will shape the industry for decades. We have seen how quickly policy can change - and how damaging poorly considered decisions can be. Farmers are producing food, helping to tackle climate change, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining rural jobs, yet they are still being asked to do more with less. Some progress has been made, including the Agricultural Modernisation Fund and coupled support for livestock.

Long-term funding, clear and transparent capital schemes, and climate-smart support that reduces bureaucracy are all essential. Our manifesto, launched today, reflects these priorities, shaped through wide member consultation, and your input in the run up to the election, will continue to shape how we move forward.

Profitability does not stop at the farm gate. Farmers cannot plan when prices are unpredictable. That is why NFU Scotland pushes for fairness in the supply chain. Our ShelfWatch programme provides real, verifiable data on supermarket sourcing and holds retailers accountable. It shows where Scottish produce is being properly represented, and where improvements are needed. Public procurement must favour Scottish produce. The public wants it, and we have it. We are pushing for transparency in pricing, contracts that share risk fairly, Scottish sourcing targets, and action on misleading origin labelling.

We play by the rules, and imports must do the same. There can be no backdoor for lower-standard products, whether meat, eggs, or vegetables. Post-Brexit trade must not become a race to the bottom, and enforcement must be visible and effective.

Scottish producers deserve a level playing field. Farmers are also on the front line of extreme weather - floods, droughts, and storms. Legislation must support farmers. Species management must balance safety, livelihoods, and mental health. Young people are the future of farming, and we must prove it. That means practical land access reform, usable and well-funded new entrant schemes, tax rules that support succession, and clear skills and training pathways. The next generation must see a career in agriculture as viable, rewarding, and respected. The industry’s future depends on it.

We have achieved a lot together - IHT wins, progress on procurement, influence over policy - but imagine trying to do that alone. A strong Union wins for its members, shapes the future, and protects livelihoods. Times are uncertain, but opportunities are there if we stay united, focused, and determined.

For government, this means committing to long-term funding and improved supply chain transparency. For the market, it means paying fairer prices, sourcing locally and visibly, and investing in long-term relationships with Scottish producers. For members, it means continuing to feed in, share your experiences, and stand together, because your voice is what makes this Union strong.

Scotland’s farmers and crofters continue to show grit, professionalism, and adaptability that makes me proud every week. From Shetland to Stranraer, they are not just feeding the nation - they are sustaining local economies, looking after the land, and keeping rural Scotland alive. Without profitability, none of this is possible.

With profitability, and with a strong Union behind them, the possibilities are endless. Together, we will face change, seize opportunity, and secure a profitable future for Scottish agriculture.

Andrew Connon is the President of NFU Scotland