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Farmers urged to lobby MPs over Agriculture Bill amendments

Andrew McCornick, NFUS president, is urging members to act now.
Andrew McCornick, NFUS president, is urging members to act now.

Farmers and crofters are being urged to write to their MPs and lobby them to vote through amendments to the UK Agriculture Bill.

The plea from NFU Scotland (NFUS) comes as the bill prepares to return to the House of Commons next week.

This follows its final stage of scrutiny in the House of Lords where several amendments have been adopted.

These include an amendment to strengthen the role of the Trade and Agriculture Commission to advise parliament on all trade deals and how they impact on food and farming standards.

It would also require the commission to report on how the government can meet its manifesto pledge to protect the UK’s high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards and for this advice to be considered before any new trade deals are agreed.

Another amendment would require ministers to specify a statement of compliance with the relevant domestic standards and regulations where a product is imported.

“Scottish agriculture prides itself on provenance and quality and herein lies the opportunity of new trade agreements,” said NFUS president Andrew McCornick.

“For this reason, it is vital that future trade deals do not curtail our ability to grow our reputation as a nation of quality food and drink by undercutting domestic production with imports produced to standards illegal or unacceptable here.”

He said the need to protect the UK food and farming industry from lower-standard imports had grabbed the attention of more than a million consumers who signed a petition organised by the NFU south of the border, as well as many celebrities, including Jamie Oliver.

“NFU Scotland needs members to write to their MPs in the coming days to strengthen our lobbying efforts on these crucial issues as the bill reaches its final stages,” added Mr McCornick.

He urged members to write to their MPs as a matter of urgency and said MP contact details are online at writetothem.com