THE future of farming was on the table in West Linton during a summit with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Issues currently facing the whole of the agricultural industry, compounded by the adverse weather this year, were stressed to Ms Sturgeon as she met with farming leaders.

Representatives of NFU Scotland met with both the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead at Hamish Dykes’ sheep farm at South Slipperfield. Following a farm tour, they were joined round the farmhouse kitchen table by other farmers representing all sectors of Scottish agriculture.

NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie told us: “Volatility across all sectors has seen prices fall to record lows. In the sheep sector alone, lamb prices are at their lowest for six years.

“That combined with the effects of the weather, has caused real cash flow problems for many farming businesses across Scotland and threatens to be the end for some.

“Farmers are angry and desperate. We need a commitment from retailers and the food service sector to source Scottish produce and from those companies who sell their food and drink on the back of a Scottish image to commit to sourcing from Scotland and to pay a fair price. “Farmers only have one opportunity to sell their crop and they should be paid a price that will sustain their business now and for the future. Government has a role to put pressure on these companies to deliver.

“It must also ensure that Single Farm Payments are paid to farmers on time in December.” The need for all retailers to put Scottish products on their shelves was high on the agenda during Wednesday’s meeting.

And cash flow issues now facing many businesses was also highlighted with assurances sought that Single Farm Payments will be paid to farmers within the normal December window.

Discussing the problems within their sector with the First Minister were Jackie McCreary of Yester Farm Dairies, East Lothian; Sarah Allison, Agri Affairs spokeswoman for Scottish Association of Young Farmers Club; cereal farmer from East Lothian Willie Thomson; Sybil Macpherson, hill sheep farmer from Dalmally, Argyll and chairwoman for National Sheep Association; and Roy Brown, mixed beef, sheep and arable farmer and NFU Scotland Lothian and Borders livestock committee representative.

Hamish Dykes, who runs the upland 1,000 acres with his wife Susie just outside West Linton, spoke about previously having employees working on the farm, and over the years this has dwindled to now having just the family working.

He stressed that with cost cutting measures constantly being put in place at farm level, there is only so much you can do. And he warned that without risk and reward being better shared across supply chains, it will be the farmers that go next.

Mr Bowie admitted it was encouraging to have Nicola Sturgeon in attendance. He added: “To have the First Minister on farm today, is recognition of how difficult and serious the situation is across the board and that urgent action is needed.

“We received strong recognition from the First Minister that there is need for a much stronger commitment from retailers, the food service sector and manufacturers to put Scottish produce on their shelves, menus and make it as widely available and identifiable to consumers as possible.

“The Scottish Government can do something to address the issue of price volatility and ensure sufficient price is paid for Scottish farm produce. Unless we get a combined uptake from retailers, the food service industry and political support, there will sadly be many farmers that have to step away from farming.”