Cole-Hamilton to address farming rally

On Thursday afternoon, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton will address farmers and crofters outside the Scottish Parliament and insist that the Scottish Government must spend every penny of previously ringfenced funding within the sector and restore funding removed from the agriculture budget in previous years.

Farmers, crofters and representatives from the whole supply chain will gather from 11.30 onwards outside the Scottish Parliament with speeches from 12.30. Alex will be speaking at 13.30.

Speaking ahead of the rally, Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Farmers got used to being disappointed by terrible Conservative trade deals but as soon as the Tories were out the door, Labour dropped their equally miserly family farm tax on them.

“Farmers and crofters want to know that someone is in their corner. Lib Dem MPs like Alistair Carmichael and Tim Farron have played important roles in opposing the family farm tax and now our MSPs will do the same in pushing back against the SNP snatching funding away from farming.

“Scottish ministers have previously said quite clearly that the £620 million allocation in the UK budget is inadequate. That must mean that the Scottish Government is committed to spending at least every single penny of that agricultural funding allocation on agriculture every year.

“For too long the SNP have raided agriculture budgets to make up shortfalls elsewhere. This money must be restored to those who so desperately need it.

“In recent weeks I have been buoyed by the support we have received from farming communities in key by-elections in Perthshire and the Highlands. I want to show farmers and crofters that this trust is well placed.”