As the Royal Highland Show gets underway, we’re hearing some positive comments from Scottish Government ministers about the importance and future of the country’s livestock industry. Addressing the issue of falling livestock numbers John Swinney reassured the audience that “the Government was advised to take steps as part of climate action to reduce livestock numbers and decided not to take that course of action.”

Using the example of Government support for Scottish suckler herds, Mr Swinney explained that it “is just one example of a difference that you have made to government policy by that constructive engagement about how to make schemes work in everybody’s interests. Your intervention and your involvement made government policy better.” He went on to say: “I also need to signal to you the important I attach to the industry contributing significantly to the economic growth agenda which is at the heart of the Government’s programme.” This chimes with new data released by QMS that shows Scottish red meat is more valuable than ever to the economy and consumers.

In a Farming Today interview this morning, the new Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, Gillian Martin, further re-enforced her party’s commitment to supporting Scottish livestock farmers (listen from 7:10 minutes). She acknowledged the important contribution the sector makes to food security and the Scottish economy. She also addressed concerns being voiced by farmers surrounding proposals for essential food price caps, saying that a priority will be “protecting producers from retailers that want to squeeze them on price.” We’ll be interested to find out how that policy develops.