Farming groups respond to Nicola Sturgeon resigning as First Minister
17th February 2023
Following Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement of her resignation on 15th February, farming organisations expressed the need for stability and continuity in government leadership and for farming to be regarded as an area of high priority.
The First Minister said she will remain in office until her successor is in place and shared her aspirations for the future of the nation’s political landscape in a statement issued by the Scottish Government:
“Since my first moments in the job, I have believed that part of serving well would be to know – almost instinctively – when the time is right to make way for someone else. And when that time comes, to have the courage to do so. In my head and my heart I know that time is now.”
Serving as First Minister for over eight years and as Deputy First Minister before that, Ms Sturgeon said “it is only possible to give absolutely everything to a job of this nature for so long”.
“Given the nature and scale of the challenges the country faces, I feel that duty, first and foremost, is to our country – to ensure that it does have the energy of leadership it needs, not just today, but through the years that remain of this parliamentary term.
“I consider this decision to be the right one for me, my party and the country,” she continued. “I hope it can also be the right one for our politics. If all parties were to take this opportunity to try to de-polarise public debate just a bit, to focus more on issues, and to reset the tone and tenor of our discourse.”
Ms Sturgeon proceeded to thank “a very long list of people” for their support during her two terms as First Minister and the service they have provided the government and the country.
Farming must take priority
Commenting on the news, NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “On behalf of NFU Scotland, can I thank Nicola Sturgeon for the dedicated service she has shown as Scotland’s longest serving First Minister.
“As a lead lobbying organisation, NFU Scotland has welcomed the opportunity to meet with the First Minister on several occasions, not least at events like the Highland Show and when she addressed our AGM and conference in 2017.”
In light of the uncertain times facing the farming industry in Scotland and the rest of the UK, Mr Kennedy stressed agriculture must be regarded as a key area of focus for the next First Minister.
“[…] Farming, crofting and our food and drink sectors face many challenges if they are to remain essential cornerstones of Scotland’s rural economy and its manufacturing industry. That makes them key areas for any future First Minister to consider and once appointed, we look forward to meeting with them on behalf of farmers and crofters.”
Within the agriculture sector, an important consideration for Ms Sturgeon’s successor will be maximising land opportunities across the country.
With an estimated £15 billion-£27 billion of investment required in Scotland to reach net zero by 2045, a recently published paper by the Scottish Land Commission highlighted how investment in natural capital enhancement, restoration, and creation projects can deliver a multitude of public, private, and community benefits.
Scottish Land Commission chief executive Hamish Trench said: “Scotland’s land plays a pivotal role in our everyday lives and so it is essential that communities are able to influence and benefit from natural capital projects, land decisions and land use.”
Continuity and stability are required
In response to the Scottish First Minister’s announcement, the National Sheep Association (NSA) Scottish Region called for the retention of continuity and consistency in an increasingly turbulent agricultural landscape.
‘This most recent change in Scotland’s leading political party comes at a time of continued volatility across the farming industry with increased input costs, changes to farming policy and the anticipated rollout of future farming schemes,’ the NSA said in a media release.
‘NSA Scottish Region advocates the absolute importance of stability and continuity amongst government to ensure businesses are able to navigate uncertainties within the marketplace.’
Moreover, the organisation expressed the need for increased communication to prevent poor or ill-informed decisions on future financial and policy support which could ‘destabilise and damage primary production businesses’.
In addition, the NSA Scottish Region emphasised the necessity of a united and stable government which ‘isn’t distracted from its task’ and can implement food and farming policies that span beyond parliamentary terms.
‘NSA Scottish Region is again calling for protection and recognition of the hard earned standards we are held to and champion them along with ensuring farmers are kept on the land and rewarded for the food they produce.’
