The UK Government will show its support for Scotland’s agriculture, food and farming sectors when it takes part in the 2019 Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh later this week.
Scotland’s biggest agricultural event gives the rural industries and members of the public the chance to speak to UK Government ministers and staff about what is important to them, and find out more about how the UK Government delivers for people in Scotland.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “I’m very pleased to be attending the Royal Highland Show – it’s a fantastic event which shows rural Scotland at its very best.
“The Royal Highland Show is an important opportunity for the UK Government to hear views from farmers and others in the rural economy, and for us to talk about our plans to support them.
“Agriculture is vital to Scotland’s economy, and I look forward to discussing with the industry and show-goers how the UK Government can help the sector flourish.”
The Scottish Secretary will attend the event on Thursday, its opening day. A number of other UK Government ministers will also visit the four-day show and eight UK Government departments, plus partner organisations will be represented.
As well as touring the show site and meeting industry representatives, Mr Mundell will host a whisky reception showcasing the best of Scotland’s distillers and toasting their success.
The whisky industry makes up 70 per cent of Scottish food and drink exports, employs more than 10,000 people, and contributes £5.5 billion a year to the UK economy.
In total hundreds of thousands of jobs are reliant on Scotland’s farming, food and drink sectors which produce billions of pounds of exports annually.
To help boost sales further, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be promoting the ‘Food is GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland’ campaign at the show.
And the Department for International Trade (DIT) will be promoting the ‘Exporting is GREAT’ campaign and encouraging Scottish food and drink businesses to join its community of Export Advocates to provide advice, encouragement and support to other companies looking to sell their products and services overseas.
UK Government departments will also be on hand to give advice about a number of initiatives, including opportunities available through the Industrial Strategy, and information about pensions and Tax-Free Childcare.
Meanwhile Diesel, a Scottish Fire and Rescue search and rescue dog with his own Twitter page, will be the star of the Department for International Development (DFID) display showcasing UK aid work.
Poll says nearly 90% of Scots think farming is vital to economic growth
Public support of Scottish farming is growing, according to research commissioned by the Scottish Government. The research suggests that 83% of Scots believe that farming provides an essential public service.
A further 86% believe that the industry is critical to the success of the Scottish economy.
The research also indicates widespread support for more food being grown and produced locally.
Welcoming the research in advance of the 2019 Royal Highland Show, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Farmers produce our food, they are the custodians of our countryside and are at the beating heart of our rural economy. So it is really pleasing to see the widespread recognition they are receiving.
“The public are clear that they want to see more produce grown locally as well as the protection of animal welfare and food standards – particularly if we leave the EU.
“The public also want greater emphasis on environmental protection and more jobs, opportunities and support for rural areas. These are all areas we and the farming industry are committed to maintaining as we seek to grow our rural economy.
“So, as we look to celebrate the success of Scottish farming and the wider rural economy at the Royal Highland Show, it is absolutely fantastic to see this level of support for our farmers and crofters.”
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