Farmers' plea to Rural Rebels

The Rural Rebels have picketed Bute House

Scotland's farming leaders have called for talks with the controversial campaign group Rural Rebels amid fears that its tactics could damage countryside causes.

The National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) expressed doubts over the group's strategy of causing disruption and said these measures may be too simplistic and counter productive.

The union said it was important that the group did not drive a wedge between rural and urban communities and hoped talks would clear up any areas of concern.

More than 20 organisations are reported to have joined the broadband Rural Rebels campaign in a bid to secure, what they say, is a better deal for the countryside from politicians.

Jim Walker: "It doesn't help us"

The umbrella group has used a variety of tactics to publicise demands for an independent public inquiry into foot-and-mouth disease, the right to peaceful country pursuits and the right to educate country children in country schools.

So far, its members have used slow drive tactics to disrupt traffic on the Forth Road Bridge and the cross-border M74 motorway that links Scotland and England.

On Sunday, more than 12,000 protestors took to the streets of Edinburgh to demonstrate their anger at what they said has been an attack on the countryside by the Scottish Parliament.

Protests have continued this week, including unique carol singing outside the first minister's official residence, Bute House.

To date all of the demonstrations have been within the law but some members are thought to favour more "direct action" and have expressed their readiness to face arrest if it will make MSPs address their concerns.

'Political process failing'

It is these tactics and the possibility of an escalating protest that worries NFUS president Jim Walker.

He said that there was a "grave danger" that the current action by Rural Rebels would "actually start to alienate large numbers of people by blocking bridges or blocking roads".

"Maybe it makes good television but it doesn't actually help us with the debate we need to have and the policies we need to drive forward in the Scottish Executive," he said.

Noel Collins: "Right to protest"

Mr Walker said that he now intends to seek talks with the group in the new year to stress the importance of not driving a wedge between rural and urban communities.

Despite the union's concerns the Rural Rebels are content that their tactics have made politicians and the media sit up and take notice.

Spokesman Noel Collins said: "We had 19 organisations who were under the broad band of Rural Rebels 10 days ago.

"We now have 21 organisations, many of whom have run into newsrooms, saying that the political process is failing us and we have the right to protest.

"It is these stories, whether they be about land reform or wild fowling on the Solway, that are now being listened to in the press."