Farming leaders in Scotland used the recent Royal Highland Show to challenge the country’s major supermarkets to give greater support to home-produced food.
During the four-day show, which drew 200,000 visitors to the Edinburgh venue, NFU Scotland met with representatives of Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, the Co-operative, Marks & Spencer and Aldi, urging them to back home-grown products.
During a series of face-to-face meetings within the showground, the Union detailed the impact that ongoing food price deflation is having at farm level, pointing out that low market returns in virtually every sector is challenging profitability on many Scottish farms.
“We have made good progress in our continuing discussions with retailers with some positive results for Scottish farmers and crofters,” said NFUS vice president, Andrew McCornick, adding that in light of the “new political landscape” which the industry finds itself following the EU referendum, it is clear that more must be done to build a supply chain which benefits Scottish food and farming in the face of a more uncertain future.
“Retailers have to recognise the sustainable characteristics of the food produced here in Scotland, and that further co-operation is necessary to build the resilience of our industry so that it remains a reliable source of safe, tasty and nutritious food in an ever-changing world.”
Headline image shows a baby chicks display which Marks & Spencer ran during the Royal Highland Show as part of its focus on the quality of its supply base.
