Shetland farmers given 60,000 to ferry sheep

15 October 1998

Shetland farmers given £60,000 to ferry sheep

EMERGENCY aid totalling £60,000 has been given to farmers and crofters on the Shetland Islands.

Shetland Islands Council donated the money so the farmers can ship more than 20,000 sheep and lambs from Lerwick to Aberdeen.

Payments will be backdated to 1 August and apply to small hill lambs and older ewes traditionally exported to the mainland in autumn.

The council said sheep prices were now so low that farmers and crofters would lose money even though P&O Scottish Ferries has halved its freight charges.

The council will pay the full cost of the ferry charge of £2.25/ head.

A similar request by the farmers for aid was recently turned down by the Scottish Office.