51AVÊÓÆµ

'Just saying you do not want [a bad outcome for primary producers] does not mean it will not happen', says Efra chair

Efra Committee chair Alistair Carmichael raised concerns about price caps and warm words at the Royal Highland Show and said the announcement of price caps on essential items in supermarkets was causing 'a lot of anxiety'

Alex Black
Deputy Editor
clock • 2 min read
'Just saying you do not want [a bad outcome for primary producers] does not mean it will not happen', says Efra chair

Efra Committee chair and Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael highlighted the concern from primary producers following First Minister John Swinney's speech at the Royal Highland Show.

Mr Carmichael said there was ‘a lot of warm words' from the First Minister on day one of the event, but little in the way of announcements in contrast to last year's show which happened in advance of the Holyrood elections.

He added the proposed price cap was causing a lot of anxiety amongst primary producers.

"For me, I have to say it is a bit frustrating," he said.

Supermarket price caps

"This is a moment where the Scottish Government, the UK Government, Welsh, Northern Irish could all be getting together and could actually be doing something meaningful to address supply chain fairness and that would be the way to drive down price.

"Make sure people are not paying more than they should be."

READ NOW:ÌýPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer resigns

He warned without meaningful regulation it would be the primary producer that paid the price.

"It is good that John Swinney says he does not want the outcome to be bad for primary producers.

"But the fact is that just saying you do not want it does not mean to say it will not happen."

READ NOW:ÌýFarming unions set out asks as new Food Security Minister settles into new role

He also called for Governments to step up to the plate on the situation in the pig sector, with producers currently making heavy losses due to market pressure.

He warned there was a ‘looming animal welfare crisis' as well as the financial one.

On the new Farming Minister being confirmed, before the Prime Minister announced his resignation, Mr Carmichael advises him to ‘get out, talk to farmers, learn your brief and do not hang about doing it'.

"It is for him to prove he is a good appointment," he said.

More on Politics

Defra urged by Labour MPs to boost drought resilience for farms

Defra urged by Labour MPs to boost drought resilience for farms

Norfolk's Ben Goldsborough leads call for more reservoirs, better communication and flexible abstraction rights

Jane Thynne
clock 01 August 2026 • 2 min read
Government faces backlash over peatland wildfire policy

Government faces backlash over peatland wildfire policy

The Countryside Alliance has accused the UK government of worsening wildfire risks by continuing to ban heather burning on deep peat

Rachael Brown
clock 30 July 2026 • 2 min read
Opinion: Liz Staley - Ensuring farming support reaches farmers and delivers value for taxpayers

Opinion: Liz Staley - Ensuring farming support reaches farmers and delivers value for taxpayers

Cumbrian farmer Liz Staley reflects on the Sustainable Farming Incentive

Liz Staley
clock 25 July 2026 • 4 min read