After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s event, representatives of the Borders in the UK and Scottish Parliaments attended the 2021 BUAS Kelso Ram Sales.
John Lamont MP and Rachael Hamilton MSP were delighted to be able to attend the event. Dating back to 1838, it is Europe’s largest one day ram sale.
Mr Lamont and Mrs Hamilton took a keen interest in proceedings as they saw almost 5,000 sheep of around 20 different breeds go to sale.
They also took the opportunity to meet with farmers and representatives from the industry as the event brought together people from across the agricultural community.
It has been a tremendously difficult year for the agricultural sector, with severe disruption to the sales calendar. Mrs Hamilton and Mr Lamont were pleased to see a return to normality in this respect.
John Lamont MP said:
“It was wonderful to be able to attend an event of this scale once again. This is an important occasion on the sales calendar, and I am thrilled that it has been such a success.
“Farmers and the rural workforce have worked extremely hard to keep the agricultural industry afloat during the pandemic and keep food on our tables.
“I am glad that this sale event has given them reason to be optimistic about the industry’s recovery.”
Rachael Hamilton MSP, added:
“I am delighted to have been able to join everyone here today at Kelso Ram Sales. It has been a long time coming, but the success of this event shows that our recovery from the pandemic is really gathering pace.
“As Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Islands, I was pleased to be able to talk to farmers and industry representatives and hear about the challenges they have faced over the past year
“As ever, I will continue to make sure that their voices are always heard in parliament and speak up for rural Scotland.”