Lord Sewel talks up deer farming

17 February 1998

Lord Sewel talks up deer farming

SCOTTISH agriculture minister Lord Sewel believes commercial deer farming
could play a significant role in Scotlands agricultural industry.

Sewel, speaking at the Barony College, near Dumfries, at the introduction of
the UKs first national training centre for deer farming, said the unsubsidised
sector was ripe for expansion.

The UK demand for venison is about 2,000 tonnes annually and the 260 deer
farms in Britain produce about 600 tonnes, worth about £2.5 million. The figures
include 60 farms in Scotland, which account for about £500,000.

• The Scotsman 17/02/98 page 28