A local food agenda for Ochil and South Perthshire
Annabelle Ewing’s agriculture policy places local producers, rural communities and Scotland’s food economy at the centre of a wider discussion about economic recovery. For farms, crofts, growers and food businesses across Ochil and South Perthshire, decisions made at Westminster can affect costs, labour, trade, environmental standards and access to markets.
The area has a strong agricultural identity, from family farms and horticultural businesses to livestock producers, food processors and independent retailers. Supporting these enterprises means looking beyond farm payments alone. It also means considering transport, energy, planning, skills, public procurement and the resilience of local supply chains.
A practical food and farming agenda can help more of the value created in the countryside remain in local communities. It can also strengthen Scotland’s ability to produce high-quality food while responding to climate pressures and changing consumer expectations.
Keeping value in rural communities
Local producers often operate within tightly connected economies. A farm may rely on nearby machinery suppliers, veterinary practices, hauliers, abattoirs, feed businesses and agricultural contractors. When these enterprises remain viable, the benefits extend well beyond individual holdings.
Ewing’s approach presents agricultural support as part of a broader rural development strategy. Improving market access for Scottish produce, encouraging local processing and strengthening independent food businesses could help create more stable employment across Ochil and South Perthshire.
This perspective also recognises the importance of smaller farms and new entrants. Access to land, finance and infrastructure can determine whether the next generation is able to build a future in agriculture.
Fairer opportunities for farmers and growers
Farm businesses face pressure from input prices, energy costs, labour shortages and uncertainty around future trading arrangements. A responsive agriculture policy needs to give producers clearer information and a stronger voice in decisions affecting their livelihoods.
Support for sustainable farming should be accessible to different types of producer. Arable farms, livestock holdings, market gardens and mixed farms may require different routes to improve soil health, reduce emissions and protect biodiversity. A single model will not reflect the realities of every rural business.
A fairer food system also depends on transparent relationships between producers, processors and retailers. Better information about pricing and supply contracts can help farmers plan investment and avoid carrying an unfair share of risk.
Public procurement and Scottish food
Schools, hospitals, care homes and public institutions buy food at significant scale. Public procurement rules that make it easier to source local and Scottish produce could provide dependable markets for farmers, growers, bakers, fishers and food manufacturers.
The aim would not be to reduce standards or value for money. Instead, procurement could give greater weight to freshness, nutritional quality, environmental performance, animal welfare and the wider economic benefits of keeping spending within Scotland.
| Policy area | Potential benefit for local producers | Wider community effect |
|---|---|---|
| Local public procurement | More reliable routes to market | Fresher food in public services |
| Rural transport and broadband | Lower logistical barriers | Better connectivity for businesses |
| Sustainable farming support | Investment in soil, water and biodiversity | Stronger long-term land management |
| Food processing capacity | More value retained near production | New jobs and enterprise |
| Skills and apprenticeships | A stronger agricultural workforce | More opportunities for young people |
For producers in Ochil and South Perthshire, dependable local contracts could make it easier to invest in equipment, employ staff and plan for the future. It could also increase the visibility of regional products among residents and visitors.
Building resilient food supply chains
Recent disruptions have shown how quickly food systems can be affected by energy prices, transport problems, labour shortages and international events. A resilient supply chain needs a diverse base of producers, processors and distributors rather than relying too heavily on distant sources.
Strengthening local abattoirs, mills, cold storage, packing facilities and distribution networks would help agricultural businesses retain more value. It would also reduce the distance that some products travel before reaching consumers.
Digital tools can support this work by connecting producers with shops, restaurants, caterers and households. However, digital access must be matched by reliable broadband and practical support for businesses that may not have large administrative teams.
Farming, climate and the natural environment
Agriculture has an important role in addressing climate change and protecting Scotland’s natural assets. Farmers manage soil, grassland, waterways and habitats, so environmental policy works best when producers are treated as partners with practical knowledge.
Measures such as improved soil management, hedgerow restoration, agroforestry, reduced waste and more efficient use of fertiliser can support both environmental goals and farm resilience. Well-designed schemes should recognise the cost of making changes and provide stable guidance over time.
Food production and environmental protection should be considered together. Productive land, healthy soils and secure water supplies are essential to the future of Scottish agriculture, while biodiversity and emissions reduction are central to the long-term health of rural areas.
Skills, innovation and the next generation
The future of farming depends on people with expertise in land management, technology, animal care, engineering, business and food production. Apprenticeships, agricultural colleges and practical training can help address skills gaps while opening routes into rural employment.
Innovation may include precision farming, renewable energy, automation, new crop varieties and improved systems for reducing waste. Smaller businesses need access to advice and finance if they are to benefit from these developments rather than being left behind by the cost of adoption.
A local food strategy should therefore connect agricultural policy with education, enterprise and rural housing. Young people are more likely to remain in the area when they can find meaningful work and affordable places to live.
Priorities for local food producers
A campaign platform focused on farmers, growers and rural businesses can be assessed against practical priorities:
- Improve access to local and public-sector food markets.
- Strengthen rural transport, broadband and processing infrastructure.
- Provide fair, stable support for sustainable agricultural practices.
- Expand skills, apprenticeships and opportunities for new entrants.
- Give producers a stronger voice in decisions affecting food and farming.
These priorities link the interests of agricultural businesses with those of consumers and communities. They also reflect the need for long-term planning rather than short-term responses to market disruption.
For Ochil and South Perthshire, supporting local food production is closely connected to economic resilience, environmental stewardship and the character of rural life. Annabelle Ewing’s agriculture policy sets out a platform for considering those issues together, with local producers at its centre.
Read the campaign’s latest policy information and local updates, and contact Annabelle Ewing’s team to find out more about proposals affecting farming, food businesses and rural communities across Ochil and South Perthshire.