Scottish Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Liz Smith, has written to the chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council asking for farmers’ markets to be re-established as soon as possible in line with the Scottish Government advice published last week.
The MSP was contacted by Dave Cuthbert, chairman of Kinross-shire Local Events Organisation, following concerns that council officials would not permit markets to re-start in July. Citing road closure issues, the council informed KLEO that it would have to wait to hold its next market.
Commenting, Liz Smith said: “There seems to be confusion about why farmers’ markets can’t resume after 3rd July and that is clearly bad for local businesses which are increasingly anxious to get back to trading as soon as possible.
“These markets are a really special feature not just of Kinross but also of places like Crieff, Aberfeldy and Perth."
She continued: “The Scottish Government is rightly urging us to ‘buy local’ and therefore l think it is imperative that these markets re-start as soon as possible in line with lockdown easing regulations.
“They also bring trade to our high streets and, given current circumstances, nothing could be more important.
“I have written to the Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross asking her officers to clarify the situation as soon as possible and get farmers’ markets back in business. Local economies desperately need them.”