NFU Scotland has urged the UK Government to protect family farms from rising costs and overseas competition as it set out its priorities ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Representatives from the farming union met MPs at Westminster as part of Back British Farming Day, with inheritance tax, employment costs, investment and imports among the issues raised.
The union said Scottish farmers and crofters must not be placed at a competitive disadvantage by imports produced to standards which would not be permitted in the UK.
NFU Scotland is preparing to write to the UK Government outlining its concerns over imports and calling for measures to ensure domestic producers can compete on a fair basis.
The union has also submitted seven priorities to HM Treasury ahead of the Autumn Budget.
These include a full reversal of inheritance tax changes announced in the October 2024 Budget and action to address increased employment costs resulting from higher employer National Insurance contributions.
NFU Scotland is also calling for an increase and extension of the Annual Investment Allowance and stronger capital allowances to encourage investment in productive and climate-resilient agricultural assets.
It wants the UK Government to pause and review the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism amid concerns it could increase the cost of fertiliser and become an additional burden on domestic food production.
The union is also seeking a reversal of the tax treatment of double-cab pick-ups used as agricultural working vehicles and the retention of reduced fuel duty rates for red diesel.
NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said the annual farming day provided an opportunity to take the concerns of Scotland’s farmers and crofters directly to Westminster.
He said: “Our message is clear. Backing British farming has to mean more than warm words. Government decisions on tax, investment and trade must support, rather than undermine, our ability to produce high-quality food here at home.
“Inheritance tax remains a major concern, alongside rising employment and input costs and the need to encourage investment.
“At the same time, farmers need confidence that they will not be asked to meet standards and costs at home only to be undercut by imports produced to different standards.”
Mr Connon said the UK Government needed to recognise the strategic importance of domestic food production and create conditions in which farming businesses could invest, compete and grow.
NFU Scotland said agriculture plays an important role in Scotland’s £19 billion food and drink sector, which employs more than 135,000 people, as well as supporting rural economies, food security and national resilience.
The union said it would continue lobbying MPs and the UK Government over its Budget priorities and concerns surrounding imports.
