A daily newspaper’s plan to “cease” its dedicated farming coverage has met with widespread condemnation with 20 national bodies signing a protest letter to its editor.

Agricultural industry leaders have united to criticise The Scotsman over the apparent plan, which they claim will lead to food and rural affairs coverage being delegated to the Edinburgh-based daily’s business, politics and environment teams.

HTFP understands Brian Henderson, who covers farming for The Scotsman on a daily basis, was informed his daily piece would be ended because the format “did not appeal to readers”.

But the move has provoked anger from Scotland’s farming community, with 20 national organisations coming together to ask Scotsman editor Neil McIntosh and the paper’s publisher National World to reconsider the plan in an open letter.

Despite repeated attempts to get clarification on the issue, both National World and The Scotsman have refused to give HTFP further details on the proposed changes or what will be happening to Brian’s role as a result.

The open letter is signed by organisations including the National Farmers’ Union Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation and the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A full list of signatories can be found at the bottom of this story.

In the letter, they stated: “We are deeply disappointed and concerned about the plans to cease having dedicated agricultural coverage in The Scotsman and we collectively ask you to reconsider this direction of travel.

“The Scotsman’s agricultural section has built a reputation as an important and trusted source of news relating to a huge range of aspects of farming, food and rural life, and The Scotsman readership, both in print and online, should continue to benefit from dedicated, accurate and professional coverage of Scotland’s food and farming industry.

“Agriculture, as you know, has a frontline role in Scotland’s economy and, in addition to the business news importance of your coverage, your readers benefit from fair and professional reporting of the many major, topical – and sometimes controversial – issues which relate directly and indirectly to farming and food production.

“These range from the impact of Brexit and the war in Ukraine (and the impact on food security and production in Scotland) to public scrutiny of red meat production and farm animal health and welfare. The sector’s roles in mitigating climate change and curtailing biodiversity loss have also moved centre stage in recent years, especially since COP26 in Glasgow.”

The signatories went on to note Scotland’s “track record as a pioneer on the global agricultural stage”, including the introduction of Quality Assurance and “an impressive stream of scientific breakthroughs, thanks to our country’s world-leading agricultural research organisations, including The Moredun Research Institute, just a few miles from The Scotsman offices”.

They added: “It is vital politicians, business operators and your wider audiences who access The Scotsman news, continue to benefit from the facts via the quality and integrity provided by specialist journalists who understand farming and its wide-reaching impact in, for example, Scotland’s tourism industry and enhancing Scotland’s natural environment.

“The National World plc strategy highlights the impact of the changes in your readers’ lifestyles in post-Covid times and, with so many people moving to work from home in rural Scotland, the interest in rural and agricultural life will surely continue to grow.

“This is not the time to stand down your farming and rural affairs coverage given that public interest in, and scrutiny of, agriculture and farming is increasing.”

The full list of signatories to the letter is as follows:

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland
James Hutton Institute
Lantra Scotland
Moredun Research Institute
National Farmers’ Union Scotland
National Sheep Association Scotland
Quality Meat Scotland
Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland
Royal Highland Educational Trust
Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution
Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society
Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs
Scottish Crofting Federation
Scotland Food and Drink
Scottish Land & Estates
Scotland’s Rural University College
Scottish Tenant Farmers Association
Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Women in Agriculture Scotland