Farmers send message of support to lockdown public

The project was voluntarily developed by many agricultural contributors, including dairy farmer Colin Ferguson.

Farmers and crofters throughout Scotland film a video showing solidarity with those in lockdown, achieving 70,200 views in the first 18 hours and still increasing.

As the Covid-19 lockdown looks set to continue, farmers and crofters from every corner and sector of Scotland have come together to produce a video to reassure the general public that they will do all they can to keep food and drink on everyone’s table.

With everyone who is not an ‘essential worker’ being asked to stay home and only leave their house for shopping or exercise once a day, farmers and crofters, with NFU Scotland, wanted to reassure Scotland that they will continue to supply supermarkets and shops with all they will need to get through these troubling times.

The video sees 23 farmers, crofters, their families and their workforce, from across Scotland, filming themselves on farm, reciting small messages of encouragement to the people of Scotland. Farmers and crofters are very privileged to produce high quality food and drink for the nation and they wanted to show their solidarity with those most affected by the lockdown.

The project was voluntarily developed by dairy farmers Colin Ferguson, NFU Scotland Dumfries and Galloway Chairman, and David McMiken, who sits on NFU Scotland Milk Committee, as well as Rebecca Dawes from Jane Craigie Marketing.

Following the launch of the video, Colin Ferguson said: “In these worrying times it is important that the Scottish public know that farmers and crofters are still doing all they can to keep healthy, high welfare food and drink on their tables. Scotland’s farmers have been producing food for Scottish families for generations, and we are determined to keep on doing so through this global pandemic.”

David McMiken added: “We wanted to reassure consumers that despite this strange situation, there shouldn’t be any disruption to the food and drink we are able to produce and that any panic buying is completely unnecessary.

“It is important that people listen to the government advice; stay home and stay safe. Scotland’s farmers and crofters will take care of the food, drink and countryside while you do.”