Livestock farmers urged to switch to trees

22 May 1998

Livestock farmers urged to switch to trees

FORESTER Martin Gale told a timber industry conference in Wales more farmland should be transferred from beef and sheep production into trees.

He claimed there was no other option for those wishing to cut back farming commitments.

He said diversity was more important than ever particularly for those dependent on income from livestock.

John Cameron, chairman of the Scottish Beef Council, agreed there were good reasons why farmland should include blocks of woodland but he said farmers who diversified in this way should receive annual payments for doing so.

• The Scotsman 22/05/98 page 30