Farmers being short-changed by SNP, says Findlay ahead of Holyrood protest

Russell Findlay has accused the SNP of “short-changing” farmers ahead of a protest outside Holyrood.

The Scottish Conservative leader will back calls by the National Farmers Union Scotland for the Scottish Government to restore £46 million of funding to the agricultural budget.

Mr Findlay, who will deliver a speech to protesters outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, also wants to see a commitment to multi-annual funding for the sector announced in the Budget.

He said farmers, crofters and the wider agricultural sector have been an “easy target” for ministers looking to make budget savings.

Mr Findlay said the rally comes as farmers across Scotland are “reeling” from the UK Government’s decision to change rules around inheritance tax.

From April 2026, previously exempt inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million will have to pay inheritance tax at 20%.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the policy will not impact the vast majority of farmers.

Mr Findlay said: “Farmers are at the heart of our communities and deserve our full support. I will be proud to speak at this rally and give them my backing.

“For too long they have been short-changed by an SNP Government who have often seen the agricultural budget as an easy target to make cuts.

“That sums up how disconnected the SNP are from the reality facing those living and working in rural Scotland.

“Farmers are already reeling from Labour’s spiteful family farm tax plans. The last thing they need in next week’s Scottish Budget is for the SNP to let them down again.

“Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will always fight for our farmers, listen to their concerns and make sure their voice is always heard at Holyrood.”

He will be joined at the protest by Tim Eagle, the party’s rural affairs spokesman who is also a farmer.

“As a farmer in Moray, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing us across the country,” Mr Eagle said.

“Next week’s Budget comes at a critical point for the sector and it is vital the SNP deliver the support our farmers, crofters and the wider agricultural sector need to thrive.

“I will be delighted to speak at this rally and it speaks volumes that so many farmers will attend at such a busy time of year for them.

“Their pleas outside Holyrood today cannot simply be ignored by SNP politicians inside in their ministerial tower.

“Farmers are being shamefully neglected by both the SNP and Labour governments, who simply don’t understand them, whereas the Scottish Conservatives will always be on their side.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton will also attend the rally.

Ahead of the event, he urged the Scottish Government to restore funding for the sector.

He said: “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.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The Scottish Government is unequivocal in our support for Scotland’s farmers and crofters.

“They play a vital role fuelling our rural communities and making possible our world-class food and drink sectors, and the UK Government Budget will penalise them by failing to reverse the real-terms cuts of previous years and failing to provide the multi-year certainty they require.

“This uncertainty has been compounded by changes to Agricultural Property Relief, which was imposed without any consultation with farmers or the Scottish Government.

“The Scottish Parliament has called on the UK Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses and urgently commit to undertake impact assessments on the cumulative impact of its budget proposals on farmers and crofters in Scotland.”