Scottish farmers warn of rising costs and food shortages

Scotland's farmers are warning they are facing a "perfect storm" made worse by the war in Ukraine.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland said rising fuel costs and grain shortages could mean prices going up and goods becoming scarce.

The Scottish government is calling for a summit of ministers from across the UK to discuss the problems now facing farmers, fishermen and food producers.

The UK environment secretary said he would consider the request.

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy told BBC Scotland the impact of Russia's invasion, after a two-year period hit by the consequences of Brexit and the Covid pandemic, was "absolutely devastating".

He added: "I have not seen anything like this before. It is completely unprecedented.

"The long-term implications of that is going to have a serious impact right across the food supply chain."

"We have heard the term before, about a 'perfect storm', but I have never seen anything like this before."

Mr Kennedy said pig farming is under threat due to the rising cost of feed and warned imminent intervention was needed to ensure pork remains on shop shelves.

There have also reports, in recent weeks, of soaring costs making it unviable for some fishing vessels to leave port, as well as the food processing and storage sectors being hit hard by rising overhead costs.

The removal of tax relief for red diesel has also also led to price increases.

To illustrate the challenges facing the sector, Mr Kennedy said he paid £240 for a tonne of fertiliser last year, but this year the price has soared to about £800.

Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary has called for an urgent four-nations summit to consider how to respond to "hardship" in the food sector linked to the Ukraine crisis.

Mairi Gougeon said Russia's invasion has had a "significant impact" on the UK's food supply chain.

She has written to her UK counterpart, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice, to highlight her concerns.

Ms Gougeon said ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had previously pledged to have "regular discussions" with the devolved governments on the issue.

But she claimed there had been "no opportunity for discussions with UK Government".

Ms Gougeon told Mr Eustice: "I am concerned that this lack of engagement will only lead again to suffering by Scottish businesses who were left fighting for support to continue to deliver exports following the Brexit deal."

Defra confirmed that the environment secretary had received the letter and said he would "respond in due course".

Meanwhile, a rally has been held in Glasgow's George Square to highlight the plight of the Ukrainian people.

Organiser Kasia Tym told BBC Scotland the aim was to keep the crisis in the public eye.

Ms Tym said: "I think there is an aspect of trending news. There is a shock factor that applies for ten days max and then it kind of dies down.

"For us it is very important to keep the conversation going because the war is still happening.

"It is still as violent as [when] it started and the people need even more help now because resources are running out."