NICOLA Sturgeon will tell an audience of agriculture industry representatives at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh today that EU nationals are vital to the sector and their status must be guaranteed.
Speaking on the first anniversary of the Brexit vote, the First Minister will say that EU workers are important to virtually all parts of the modern farming industry, and she will call on the UK Government to guarantee their status after Brexit.
She is expected to tell a breakfast seminar: “EU workers are important to virtually all parts of the modern farming industry – from the laboratories of our research institutes to the fields of our fruit farms.
“The UK Government placed a great deal of emphasis on restricting freedom of movement. That seems to be the key reason why it is not pursuing single-market membership.
“But Scottish agriculture, and Scotland more generally, has benefitted enormously from freedom of movement. So as things stand, there is still a real danger that the UK Government will abandon something which is good for Scotland – membership of the single market – in order to restrict something else which is good for Scotland, freedom of movement.
“It’s a perfect example of the absurdity of the hard Brexit case that the UK Government was making. And it is a good demonstration of why the UK Government must change its approach.
“The Royal Highland Show provides a glimpse of how much the farming and food sector contributes – not just to rural Scotland, but to Scotland as a whole.
“That means that farming is an important priority for us in Brexit negotiations.
“And it means that at every available opportunity, we will work with the sector to argue for the best possible outcomes for farmers.
“We will emphasise the importance of tariff-free access for agricultural products.
“We will argue for the long-term future of farm payments. We will support freedom of movement, and do everything we can to encourage EU nationals to live, work and study in Scotland.”
A record 200,000 people are expected to visit Edinburgh’s Ingliston Showground over the four days of the event.
Now in its 177th year, 1000 trade exhibitors are now on site, along with more than 6000 animals.
The premier event in Scotland’s farming calendar has expanded beyond recognition since 1822, with artists, fashionistas and artisan bakers plying their trade alongside agricultural exhibitors and farmers, who see it as the place to do business.
Organisers the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) said they were “absolutely prepared” for any adverse weather after the Met Office issued a yellow warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms yesterday morning.
Visitors come from all corners of Scotland and further afield for the event, which showcases the best of farming, food and rural life – from cattle, sheep and horses to the latest agricultural machinery.
Some of the country’s most accomplished riders will take part in equestrian events at the show while there will also be educational workshops, shopping and other entertainment.
Last year, the event welcomed 189,000 visitors and generated £47 million for the Scottish economy, said the RHASS.
This year there is a focus on Aberdeenshire to mark the time when the show moved around the country before settling into its permanent home at Ingliston in 1960.
In the specially created Aberdeenshire Village, food and tourism will be the key themes highlighting the diversity of the area.
Visitors can also enjoy Scottish produce at Scotland’s Larder Live, the show’s very own food and drink festival.
There is also a dedicated programme of activities for young people.
The event runs until June 25.
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