A WAR of words has broken out among councillors after a motion to show support for food producers and traders in Argyll and Bute failed.

Kintyre and the Islands independent councillor Alastair Redman put forward a motion to a full council meeting asking that the contribution of farmers, crofters, growers and fishermen be recognised by the authority.

But Lomond North independent councillor Mark Irvine put forward an amendment which, although also praising the contribution of food producers, changed the use of the word ‘fishermen’ and made other alterations.

It led to Conservative councillors branding the amendment “woke” and “out of touch”, while Councillor Redman also warned that voting for the amendment would be “gambling with our future”.

The discussion took place at a full council meeting on Thursday, April 25.

Councillor Redman’s motion asked that: “Argyll and Bute Council recognises the huge contribution made by our farmers, crofters, growers and fishermen to our local economy, environment and wider rural communities.

“Consequently, Argyll and Bute Council commits to maintaining and where possible enhancing our working relationships with local arable, livestock, crofting, dairy farmers and fishermen.”

He then listed actions including: “Where possible, ensuring that food and drinks provided at council organised events includes items sourced from local suppliers; to always include where possible meat, dairy and fish produce, alongside arable produce.

“As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Argyll and Bute Council; the council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally taking advantage of our Love Local marketing work, and taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy, fish and arable options, thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the local economy.

“To continue to advocate to the Scottish and UK Governments the importance of supporting Argyll and Bute’s food and drink sector to our economy and way of life.”

Councillor Irvine then indicated he had an amendment.

The word ‘fishermen’ was changed to ‘fishers’, while the second paragraph read: “Consequently, Argyll and Bute Council commits to maintaining and where possible enhancing our working relationships with our local growers, fishers, delis, independent shopkeepers and traders.”

The amendment also shortened Councillor Redman’s first bullet point so that it stopped at ‘suppliers’, while the second was changed to: “As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Argyll and Bute Council; the council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally taking advantage of our Love Local marketing work, farmers’ markets and craft fairs, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, and encourage where possible the retention of cash to help support our more remote and rural traders.”

The third bullet point was left unchanged.

In speaking to the amendment, Councillor Irvine said: “I commend Councillor Redman for raising some issues, but I feel some of the language used is out of date. There are many women involved in fishing.

“There is also the importance of retaining cash, which supports the rural economy and traders, particularly when we are losing another bank in Helensburgh and traders rely on cash.”

Helensburgh Central Conservative councillor Gary Mulvaney remarked: “I think it is a shame we have ended up with an amendment which is 90 per cent the same as the motion.

“I see you have deleted a couple of things relating to produce like milk, dairy and arable produce.

"I know Councillor Irvine is trying to be woke and politically correct, but fishers are a weasel-like mammal.”

His party colleague, Lomond North councillor Maurice Corry, said: “The motion is perfectly well written and in my view it is unnecessary to bring an amendment forward.”

Summing up, Councillor Redman said: “I know fishermen, I have family who do it, and they are not fishers.

“I think the omission of beef and milk, and all these great products we have in Argyll and Bute, is a betrayal of our farmers and fishermen.

"Do they really want to take away dairy, meat and everything we produce?

“I find it very odd, very woke and very out of touch with rural Argyll, and I just hope the council sees sense.

“I am not a fan of gambling, and do not like those who profit from it. If we do not show farmers, crofters and fishermen adequate support, we are gambling with our future.”

Despite Councillor Redman’s comments, the amendment was carried by 22 votes to 11.

In casting his vote for the amendment, South Kintyre SNP councillor John Armour said he did so “as a farmer who is not feeling in the slightest betrayed.”

His party colleague, Oban North and Lorn SNP councillor Julie McKenzie, said that her vote for the amendment was “as a nod to my family farming background and woke credentials".