SCOTTISH farmers and crofters are facing increasing pressure from cheaper overseas competition as the UK becomes more reliant on imported food, NFU Scotland has warned.
The farming union is calling for an urgent independent review of UK food imports policy, arguing that domestic producers are being placed at a disadvantage by imports produced under different animal welfare, environmental and food production standards.
The call comes as new figures highlighted by the union show that food import volumes have risen by 70 per cent since 1997, while the UK’s food trade deficit has more than doubled from £20.6 billion in 2000 to £42.1 billion.
Launching its new policy paper, Imports: Protecting Standards, Supporting Domestic Production, at its autumn conference on Thursday, October 29, NFU Scotland warned that the growing dependence on overseas production could undermine the long-term future of Scottish agriculture.
According to the union, around 40 per cent of food consumed in the UK is now imported, while self-sufficiency has declined across ten of eleven key agricultural commodities over the past 30 years.
It argues that the trend leaves the UK increasingly vulnerable to global supply disruptions, animal and plant disease risks and international instability, while placing additional financial pressure on farmers and crofters already facing rising production costs.
NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said: “Scottish farmers and crofters produce some of the highest-quality food in the world, meeting demanding standards on animal welfare, food safety and environmental protection.
“Yet too often they are being asked to compete with imported products that have not been produced to the same standards or faced the same costs.
“That includes our arable sector, where Scottish growers are expected to meet strict production and environmental requirements while competing with crop imports that may be produced under different rules.”
The union says the issue affects both livestock producers and arable farmers, with imported grain and other crops potentially competing against Scottish produce grown under stricter regulatory requirements.
It is concerned that differences in production standards can leave domestic businesses struggling to compete on price, despite meeting the environmental and welfare obligations required of them.
Mr Connon added: “Imports have an important role to play in providing consumer choice, but we cannot allow growing reliance on overseas production to undermine our own ability to produce food.
“We need an urgent, independent review of UK food imports policy to ensure Scottish farmers and crofters can compete on a fair and equal footing.”
The union’s policy paper sets out five priorities for government action, including the introduction of core production standards for imported food, stronger import controls and biosecurity measures, and greater consideration of food security in future trade agreements.
It is also calling for clearer country-of-origin labelling, including in restaurants and food outlets, alongside greater transparency from supermarkets and other retailers about where their products are sourced.
NFU Scotland wants increased investment in domestic food processing facilities and stronger commitments to sourcing Scottish produce, arguing that protecting the wider food supply chain is essential to maintaining a viable agricultural sector.
Mr Connon said: “Food security is about protecting the farms, businesses and infrastructure we will need to feed ourselves in the future.
“Both the UK and Scottish governments must ensure agricultural and trade policies work together to support domestic production, protect our high standards and give farmers and crofters the confidence to invest.
“We welcome trade, but it must be fair.”
The policy paper will now form the basis of NFU Scotland’s discussions with both governments, retailers and the wider food industry as the union pushes for changes to protect domestic production and strengthen the UK’s long-term food security.
