QMS welcomes the 'framework' Agricultural Bill progress

Sarah Millar, CEO at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) said: “QMS welcomes the 'framework' Agricultural Bill progress, ensuring that we have the legislative mechanism to support a new Scottish agricultural policy. Following its publication, we are keen to see more detail to give our levy payers a more granular understanding of what payment rates and mechanisms will be in order, to enable planning for their businesses, supported by a guarantee from Westminster that there will be a multi annual funding settlement to allow for long term policy decisions to be made. Livestock production works over a cycle of years, not weeks or months. It’s very difficult for farmers and processors to plan ahead at this time without the confidence that the changes in policy will support rather than undermine growth. QMS wants to ensure the long-term viability of the red meat supply chain, its invaluable contribution to the rural and Scotland’s wider economy, and the net zero ambition of the Scottish Government.” 

READ THE AGRICULTURAL BILL HERE