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Future of farming
20/02/2009
Scottish farming is 'strongly positioned' to weather the current economic storm, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead said today
Addressing NFU Scotland's Annual General Meeting in Aviemore, Mr Lochhead told farmers that 10 years of devolved government had enabled decisions to be made in the best interest of the Scottish industry.
These decisions have matched the energy and drive of the Scottish industry and moulded a distinct agriculture policy for Scotland which reflects farming's crucial role in the economy.
Mr Lochhead said:
"The economic backdrop to today's conference is the most severe that we have faced for many years. But, while farming is not immune to the effects of the credit crunch, it is better placed that any other sector to buck the trend of this recession.
"Cattle prices in 2008 were 16 per cent higher than the year before and lamb prices in the markets were up almost 40 per cent. Strong prices reflect strong consumer demand for our products and this demand is going to remain strong.
"Farming is facing a window of opportunity and must invest now to ensure it is in an even stronger position to tackle the challenges of the future."
During a wide-ranging address, the Cabinet Secretary outlined a number of initiatives being put in place to strengthen the sector. These included:
- An expansion to the new entrants measure within the Scotland Rural Development Programme to support investments in livestock by new farmers
- A new agriculture subsidy appeals procedure, administered through the Scottish Land Court, to begin in the summer
- Five 'Climate Change Actions' to provide farmer centred solutions to tackling climate change. These will cut costs by improving efficiency and offering new business opportunities
- Publication of the results of a study into the administrative burdens faced by farmers and creation of a pilot project to reduce red tape
- Publication of research into pigmeat labelling
The NFUScotland Annual General Meeting was held at the Aviemore Highland Resort on February 20.
The five 'Climate Change Actions', to be announced shortly, build on the work of the Agriculture and Climate Change Stakeholder Group on which the NFUS played a full part. The five actions are:
- Optimising the application of fertilisers and manures
- Improving livestock management and storage of waste
- Locking carbon into the soil
- Using energy and fuels efficiently
- Developing renewable energy
'Pig Meat Labelling in Scotland: Understanding Industry Practice and Consumer Awareness', is published today. The study was one of the recommendations of the Pig Sector Task Force Report.
Amended guidance on new entrants measures in the Scotland Rural Development Programme will be published shortly and full details will be available on the Scottish Government website in due course.
A new EU agricultural subsidy appeals procedure to be delivered by the Scottish Land Court. The new procedure will involve:
- A meeting between both the appellant and the local area office to review the original decision to refuse or reduce subsidy, this would be a compulsory stage for both parties before formal appeals proceedings could begin
- An appeal could then be submitted to the Scottish Land Court where it would be considered by its Divisional Court
- If the appeal at that stage was unsuccessful then the appellant could submit a further appeal to the full Court
Any decision of the Divisional Court would be binding on Scottish Ministers and could not be overturned other than by a formal appeal by Scottish Ministers to the full Court.
The changes are being introduced following an independent review of the current appeals procedure.
The results of a study into the administrative burdens faced by farmers will be published shortly.