SNP WILL CHAMPION SCOTLAND’S RURAL INTERESTS

UK PARTIES FAIL SCOTLAND’S FARMERS

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the commitment to Scotland’s farmers and rural communities set out in the SNP’s priorities for agriculture.

The commitment was launched by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, who said that Scotland’s farmers needed local and national champions at Westminster, working with Scotland’s farmers, crofters, food producers and Scotland’s Government to ensure the best deal for the industry.

Speaking at the publication of the SNP’s priorities for agriculture, Richard Lochhead said:

"The SNP is now firmly established as rural Scotland's champion and our rural communities must make their voice heard in the coming elections.

"A successful rural economy needs successful agriculture. Our farmers are the best in the world and that’s why we have outstanding landscapes and produce some of the world’s most famous food and drink. The invaluable role farming plays means the industry deserves public support and is a high priority in the eyes of the SNP.

“Scotland’s farmers and crofters need local and national champions in Westminster to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in the vital years ahead. There are big decisions coming up that will be made by the UK Government. Without the SNP, the distinctive needs of Scottish agriculture will be ignored.

“With the Common Agricultural Policy about to be renegotiated, the need for strong Scottish voices to champion the farming sector’s cause in Westminster could not be greater.

“The partnership developed between the Scottish Government and our farmers has helped nurture the mood of returning optimism in Scottish agriculture.

“Farming is now at the heart of the Scottish Government’s agenda. The demand for Scottish food produce is on the up and food security is now recognised as a major issue.

“That’s why the SNP Government has set up the Pack Inquiry to look at the future of agriculture policy from the Scottish perspective and why in Holyrood and in Brussels we are opposed to the UK Government’s plans to scrap support for our farmers.

“Many vitally important decisions will be taken in London in the next few years that will require Scottish Champions within Westminster as well as a strong SNP Government in Holyrood.“

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

“Food and farming is an essential part of the economy in Banff & Buchan and I am determined that our important industries should be properly represented in Westminster.

“If left to their own devices, we know from bitter experience that the London parties will not hesitate in negotiating poor deals for rural Scotland in Brussels and that’s why of all EU countries, Scotland currently has the lowest level of European rural development funding – we even have the lowest in the UK!

“Each and every SNP MP elected on May 6th will champion Scottish causes and ensure the needs of Scotland’s farmers and rural communities are understood in the Westminster Parliament and I will make sure the interests of Banff & Buchan are at the front of that queue.”

SNP MPs' ten top priorities for agriculture:

• a new Common Agriculture Policy that continues direct support for active Scottish farmers
• an enhanced role for Scottish Ministers in EU agriculture negotiations
• Fairer Fuel Prices – with a Fair Fuel Regulator and lower duty on rural
• fuel to help rural communities
• Country of Origin Labelling
• A Supermarket Ombudsman
• A fairer share of EU rural development funding
• the early devolution of animal health budgets
• an acceleration of measures to simplify EU regulation
• the protection of the UK's agricultural and environmental science budgets
• farmer friendly energy regulation to boost the sector's renewable opportunities

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15p IN THE POUND: A SETTLEMENT UNFAIR FOR ALL

LABOUR’S SHAMEFUL FAREPAK LEGACY

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has hit out at an “inadequate and unfair” settlement for the thousands of victims of the Farepak collapse and slammed the Labour Government for its repeated failure to step in to ensure compensation for the victims following confirmation that Farepak families are set to receive just 15p for every pound invested.

Commenting Dr Whiteford said:

“It is simply disgraceful that, three years after the Farepak collapse, 123,000 victims are still haunted by this ghost of Christmas past.

“It is a disgrace that thousands of low-income families, still struggling to find their feet, are set to receive this inadequate and unfair payout while the administrators have made millions.

“In Banff & Buchan and constituencies around the country, families have been hit financially by the Farepak collapse and they have not received a fair deal.

“After failing to secure adequate consumer protection and failing to ensure compensation for the victims, this is Labour’s legacy to thousands of families.

"Farepak should have been a stark warning to the UK Government to take serious and decisive action against the workings of the insolvency industry which is raking in a fortune at the expense of creditors. Unfortunately Labour’s failure to act has resulted in a settlement, unfair for all.”

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SNP PRESIDENT HELPS WHITEFORD LAUNCH CAMPAIGN NEWSPAPER IN ST COMBS

SNP President and local Member of the European Parliament Ian Hudghton helped Westminster candidate Eilidh Whiteford launch her campaign newspaper in St Combs this week.

The newspaper – the ‘Banff & Buchan Standard’ – has been produced by the local SNP and printed within the constituency, supporting local business. It features key SNP policies as well as updates on the progress made by the SNP Scottish Government in matters like freezing the Council Tax and cutting the cost of prescription charges.

Speaking in St Combs, Ian Hudghton said:

“I was delighted to be able to come to Banff & Buchan to help Eilidh’s campaign and launch her election newspaper, which is paid for entirely by the fundraising efforts of local members and supporters.

“Eilidh is an excellent candidate who will make a first class MP. She is a local person who lives in the constituency and knows the area well. I know that, in Eilidh, the people of Banff & Buchan will have someone well-able to champion their cause.”

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

“I’m very grateful to Ian for taking time out to help me with my campaign.

“We chose to launch our election newspaper in St Combs because of the excellent response I have received from the residents there, many of whom I’m pleased to say are showing their support with campaign posters in their windows. The quality of the ice cream in St Combs was, of course, another good reason to go there!”

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WHITEFORD CONGRATULATES BROCH ACADEMY ELECTION VICTOR

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford took time out from campaigning at the weekend to congratulate Scot West, who was the victorious candidate for the SNP in the school election at Fraserburgh Academy.

Aberdeenshire Council held school elections in 6 secondary schools across the North-east. In the Broch, SNP candidate Scot West triumphed, while at Turriff Academy – the only other school in Banff & Buchan to take part in the election – the SNP also won with candidate Keenan Nicol triumphing. Overall, the SNP candidates won 4 of the 7 contests across Aberdeenshire.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"School elections are fantastic fun for those involved and they also get across the serious message that voting is very important.

"Scot fought an excellent election campaign by all accounts and I'm delighted with his success.

"I have been greatly encouraged by the numbers of young people I have met during this campaign who are taking an active interest in democracy and Scotland's future and are backing the SNP to win and make a difference for Scotland."

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