Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 19 Mehefin 2024.
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mitigate against crop damage over the coming months. (S6O-03589)
I am very aware of the diverse range of challenges that farmers are currently facing. The Scottish Government places a very high priority on supporting farmers to mitigate against crop damage from a wide range of threats, notably from plant pests and disease, and in adapting to climate change.
The Plant Health Centre and the Farm Advisory Service are key elements of that support. We invest almost £50 million a year in-portfolio on strategic research in order to support advances in sustainable crop production, natural resources and the environment, including research that is aimed at improving crop resilience.
I thank the minister for his answer, but last year, Scotland’s farmers had to endure extreme drought, wildfires and a deluge of rain. The delayed start to planting this year has already alarmed farmers about the coming months. Considering the Scottish Government’s poor response last year, can farmers and local residents expect anything different this year?
Clearly, I disagree with what the member says—I think that the Scottish Government’s response was very good. I have already informed members that I hosted a flood resilience and water management round-table event with the sector earlier this year. The Government has already put in £1.8 million of flood support, which is available for flood bank repairs. There is on-going support and work with the industry, and this Government has a very good working relationship with the farming sector.