NFU Scotland will host a high-level independence debate next month featuring key players from either side of the referendum.
The event will take place at United Auctions (UA) in Stirling on Monday 17 March with the Union’s President Nigel Miller chairing the evening.
The line-up, which will be confirmed shortly, will feature high profile figures from the Yes Scotland and Better Together campaigns. The event will provide a platform for key messages to be aired and for important questions from farmers to be put to the campaigns.
With the referendum being held on September 18, this event will be a prime opportunity for NFU Scotland’s members to ask questions and find out the answers which will influence their vote on that day.
The evening will begin at 7pm, when speakers will give an overview of their position of what will happen in the event that Scotland either becomes independent or stays as part of the UK. A debate surrounding agriculture and how the future of farming would be impacted will follow. As well as leading politicians, there will also be two speakers from the farming community from either side of the debate who will take to the podium. To round off the night there will be questions taken from the floor, chaired by Mr Miller.
Tickets will be made available to elected members, regional boards and agricultural stakeholder groups with a number of tickets also available for members to apply for.
The full line-up of speakers will be released in due course, as will details on how NFU Scotland members can apply for tickets to the event.
Clare Slipper, Parliamentary Officer for NFU Scotland commented:
“This debate is a hugely exciting opportunity for those on either side to put their cards on the table and answer the most pressing questions coming from the membership of NFU Scotland.
“As the date of the referendum draws nearer, it is now more important than ever that our members gain a perspective on the arguments at play in the debate in order to make an informed decision in September.
“Our recent AGM in St Andrews showed that there is a real appetite for an event such as this.
“We are positive that this event will stimulate a new and dynamic agricultural perspective in the debate over Scotland’s constitutional future, and are delighted to be hosting this event in UA Stirling.”
