The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland has warned that pressure to drive food prices down could undermine long-term food security.
NFU Scotland stated that there must be recognition of the “real cost” of producing safe, high-quality food.
The union highlighted that farmers across Scotland were “already operating under enormous pressure”, citing rising input costs, labour shortages, extreme weather, increasing regulation and volatile markets as placing “huge strain” on farm businesses. At the same time, said NFU Scotland, Scottish producers are increasingly competing against imported products produced to standards that would not be permitted here.
NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon commented: “Cheap food comes at a cost. If Governments and retailers continue to focus solely on driving prices down, we risk eroding the very foundations of our domestic food production system.
“Scottish farmers and crofters are proud to produce high-quality food with world-leading standards of animal welfare, environmental stewardship and traceability. But those standards come with a cost, and producers cannot continue absorbing pressure from every direction while returns are squeezed further.
“Food security is national security. If domestic production declines, we become more reliant on imports and more exposed to global shocks, supply chain disruption and geopolitical uncertainty. Recent years have shown just how fragile global food systems can be.”
“Supporting domestic food production is an investment in Scotland’s economy, environment and national resilience.”
NFU Scotland claimed it had consistently highlighted the importance of profitability within the agricultural sector, warning that without profitable farm businesses there can be no long-term investment in food production, climate action or thriving rural communities.
The union also stressed that food production “must remain at the heart of agricultural policy and market decision-making”, as farmers are being asked to deliver environmental and climate outcomes alongside producing food.
Connon added: “Consumers rightly expect food that is safe, sustainable and responsibly produced. That depends on a farming industry that is viable and resilient. A food system that fails its producers will ultimately fail consumers too.
“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for a fair marketplace, clear food labelling, a level playing field on standards and supply chains that properly value Scottish produce.
“Supporting domestic food production is an investment in Scotland’s economy, environment and national resilience. Without action, the continued erosion of local production capacity will have serious long-term consequences.”
NFU Scotland said it will continue to call on both the Scottish and UK Governments to recognise food production as a strategic national priority and to back policies that support profitable, sustainable domestic agriculture.
