Scots arable incomes unsustainable

19 October 2000



Scots arable incomes ‘unsustainable’

By FWi staff

ARABLE incomes have fallen to an unsustainable level, the National Farmers Union of Scotland has claimed.

Low grain prices and lower support payments mean that average incomes will be negative this year, said vice president John Kinnaird, following a meeting of the Unions Combinable Crops Committee.

“Terrible harvest conditions caused by the wet weather have meant that farmers have had to use much more fuel than normal,” said Mr. Kinnaird.

“Drying costs now represent at least 10% of the value of grain. The large increase in world oil prices could not have come at a worse time.

“Investment has ground to a halt and concerns are rising at the level of debt in the industry.

“Our farmers cannot continue to produce at the sort of incomes seen over the past three years.”

Scottish cereal growers can receive up to 10.2 million in compensation, paid under European union legislation to assist farmers disadvantaged by currency fluctuations.

“There is an urgent need for this to be paid in full,” said Mr. Kinnaird.

“Every other Member State has paid such aid, in full, when it was available.

“All we are asking is that the Government should treat our growers in the same way.”