This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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FM attends Royal Highland Show
24/06/2004
First Minister Jack McConnell today said the Royal Highland Show was a great showcase for the Scottish farming industry.
Mr McConnell was speaking as he attended this year's show at Ingliston.
The First Minister met with leaders of NFU Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland where he talked about the importance of agriculture to the Scottish economy.
The First Minister said:
"The Royal Highland Show is a great way to showcase the very best of Scottish farming.
"The past year has been a significant one for Scottish farming. We have seen farm incomes on the up. We have also seen, at long last, the beginning of the end for production subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy - a challenge to farmers, but an opportunity too.
"I believe that Scotland's farmers will rise to the challenge. Farmers love the land they live and work upon, and good farmers already steward the land with the environment, animal welfare, and the prosperity of rural communities in mind. Farmers want too to provide high quality food for consumers at a fair price. They have nothing to fear from modulation or cross-compliance.
"In the year ahead the Executive will continue to work with Scotland's farmers for a prosperous agricultural industry and for prosperity for all in Scotland's rural communities".