MCALPINE WELCOMES BIG WEEK FOR FARMING IN D&G

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South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine has welcomed what is to be a big week for Farmers in Dumfries and Galloway.

On Tuesday the National Farmers Union Scotland will host a referendum debate in Castle Douglas where members of the public will have the chance to put questions to representatives from both the Yes and No campaigns. The event will be held at Wallets Marts and will begin at 6.30pm.

On Friday, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead, and Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse, will host a public Q & A event on the Scottish Government’s blueprint for independence, Scotland’s Future, at Annan Community Centre.

Mr Lochhead will also attend the Dumfries Show on Saturday alongside the Chief Executive of Yes Scotland, Blair Jenkins, and Farming for Yes activists. 

Farming for Yes will have a prime spot at stand 8, opposite the food tent where members of the public will find plenty of Yes activists ready to answer questions and talk to undecided voters about the benefits of Independence.

Ms McAlpine said:

“This will be a big week for farming in Dumfries and Galloway and I strongly encourage as many people as possible to come along to an event this week and put their questions to us. On Saturday I hope people will stop by our stall to speak to the man in charge of the Yes campaign, Blair Jenkins; the Cabinet Secretary, and other farmers actively campaigning for a Yes vote this September.

“There are huge benefits of a Yes vote this September for farmers and that’s the message we hope to get across this week.

Our agricultural sector underpins the rural economy and our hugely successful food and drink sector.  Yet – Westminster has negotiated Scotland to the bottom of the CAP league tables so that by 2019 we will be receiving the lowest direct farm payments in the EU. 

“Westminster deprived Scottish farmers of the 230 million euro convergence uplift payments approved by Europe and fought for by the Scottish Government. Despite cross party support in Holyrood, Westminster overruled Scottish representatives and refused to allocate the funds to Scotland.

“In 2018 when the next CAP talks begin, an Independent Scottish Government will stand up for and champion Scottish farmers.  Not being an independent member of the EU has already cost Scottish farmers an extra 1 billion euros. Only with independence can we have a direct voice in Europe and ensure the needs of Scottish farmers and rural communities are fought for.

Notes

·         The NFUS debate will take place at 6.30 pm for 7pm in Wallets Mart, New Market Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1HY. Those Interested in attending should contact Clare Slipper at NFU Scotland on 0131 472 4182 of clare.slipper@nfus.org.uk

·         Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment and Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for the Environment, will be hosting a public Q&A event in Annan on Friday 1 August.  The event will be held at Annan Community Centre, Annan, between 7.30 and 9pm. The event is free but ticketed and tickets can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scotlands-future-public-qa-event-annan-registration-12204338505 or by calling 0300 244 2114.

·         The Cabinet Secretary, Farming for Yes and Chief Exec of Yes Scotland Blair Jenkins will be attending the annual Dumfries Show on 2nd August, held at The Show Field, Park Farm, Dumfries DG2 7LU, from 10 AM. The Farming for Yes stall can be found at Strand number 8.