NFUS Compensation Stance: MP

The MP said of the meeting: “I had a very productive meeting with the local NFUS and John Swinney discussing these vital issues. The rural economy in Perth and North Perthshire is one of vast importance to this constituency, and all across Scotland.

"Our farming community has ground to a halt and no one should underestimate the huge and serious problems that need to be addressed.

"It is abundantly clear that the Westminster Government has not played fair with Scotland, and not communicated with the Scottish Government. The First Minister did absolutely the right thing by bringing this shameful matter to the public’s attention and writing to the Prime Minister. Likewise, the NFU in Scotland are acting correctly by keeping up the pressure on the UK Government.

“Westminster has the moral and financial responsibility to save livelihoods in rural Scotland threatened by the Foot and Mouth crisis, and it is totally unacceptable for DEFRA to have withdrawn compensation from Scotland and Wales.

“The Scottish Government has already met its responsibilities by introducing an animal welfare scheme – it is time for the UK Government to meet theirs so that the farmers of Perth and North Perthshire get the compensation to which they are entitled.”