Scots farmers make desperate plea

17 October 2001



Scots farmers make desperate plea

By FWi staff

SCOTTISH farmers are pleading for aid after the governments annual farm census confirmed a deepening of the agricultural crisis north of the border.

Cattle and sheep numbers have slumped, according to figures released by the Scottish Executive on Wednesday (17 October).

Officials acknowledged there had been a “significant decline” in the livestock numbers, blaming it largely on the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

But the National Farmers Union of Scotland said the true picture was worse, because the figures cover the year to June and not the whole of the crisis.

Cattle numbers decreased by six per cent to 1.9 million. Sheep numbers decreased by 12% to 8.1 million between June 2000 and 2001.

The ewe breeding flock decreased by 12% to 3.3 million and the number of lambs decreased by 13% to 3.9 million.

NFU vice-president John Kinnaird said: “The figures dont reflect the full knock-on effects of foot-and-mouth and of this years bad harvest.

“The decline in the dairy and beef herds and the sheep flock demonstrates the sacrifice which the industry has made to eradicate foot and mouth.”

“The longer-term ramifications are still to be quantified and they cannot be underestimated. We need help to recover from what has been a body blow.”

Arable farmers also suffered. The census shows that fallow and set-aside land in Scotland increased by five per cent and 15% respectively.

The combinable crop area fell by two per cent to 480,000ha. The linseed and oilseed rape area fell by 41% and four per cent respectively.

The figures reflected a change in the amount of subsidies payable for these crops as a result of the Agenda 2000 reforms, claimed the executive.

But Mr Kinnaird said: “The area of land in Scotland planted with arable crops has dropped to levels not seen since 1995.”

Problems have been exacerbated by the strength of Sterling which has encouraged imports and slashed support payments set in Euros, he added.

The decline in fortunes meant the need for the government to apply for compensation from Brussels was even more urgent, said Mr Kinnaird.

• Arable crisis is worst ever, MPs told, FWi, 16 October 2001
• Arable growers lobby MPs over aid, FWi, 15 October 2001
• Scots census reveals virus toll, FWi, 14 September 2001