Scots cattle men would have been down to 30 a week

01 December 1998

Scots cattle men would have been down to £30 a week

JUST £30 per week would have been the wage of Scottish cattle farmers if the Government had not stepped in with its £36 million aid package.

Their average income is now expected to reach £5200 in the current year, according to Scottish Office figures.

Net income for upland and hill livestock farms averaged £17,600 in 1996-97. Sheep farmers collected £14,700 in 1996-97 and were expected to get £7600 in 1998-99.

Scottish National Farmers Union president Jim Walker said the figures showed that people were not getting a living wage.

• Minister admits farm incomes are dire, FWi, yesterday (30 November, 1998)

• Government aid worth £119.3m – official, FWi, 16 November, 1998
• Farmers profits lowest since the 1930s, FWi, 09 October, 1998
• Survey shows no respite for farmers, FWi, 08 October, 1998
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  The Herald 01/12/98 page 4