Tory MPs argue for a longer period of guaranteed £620m funding for Scottish farmers
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NORTH-east Conservative MPs have pushed the UK Treasury to support Scottish farmers.
Tory MPs from across Grampian are asking the Government for a longer period of support for agriculture in the region.
Currently, the UK Government has promised to maintain the current level of farm funding until 2024-2025, the end of the current parliament.
However, concerns over production costs and global uncertainty mean many farmers could find it harder to make a profit.
Farmers currently receive £620 million through schemes like direct payments and Bew Review uplift funding, and some believe this should be extended past 2025.
Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine said: "The UK Government committed to 2024 because there will be a new system of support by 2028.
"And it will be much better than the Common Agricultural Policy ever was for Scotland.
"However, no one at that time envisaged the war in Ukraine and the impact that would have on everything farmers need, from diesel to fertiliser to animal feed.
"We're asking HM Treasury to make one change to protect our food supply at an uncertain time."
Mr Bowie has been joined by other Tory MPs David Duguid and John Lamont in a meeting with Exchequer Secretary Helen Whately, to seek a commitment to a longer funding period.
They have also backed calls for the Scottish Government to ring-fence the block grant Scotland receives for farming, via the Less Favoured Area and AECS schemes.
The intervention follows briefings from NFU Scotland figures and Westminster's all-party farming group chairwoman Fay Jones.
David Duguid, MP for Banff and Buchan said: "I hear regularly from local farmers and industry experts who have given clear examples of the challenges our farmers face, right now.”
"The farm survey for 2020 showed most farms would have made a loss without the guaranteed payment.
"The industry is modernising at a rapid pace. Diversifying and decarbonising is a major part of what they do.
"But we need to protect food security, and this one change will help farm businesses manage their finances."
