3 February 2008, Royal Marine Hotel, 10..00

Present

Angus McFadyen (Chair);Fergus Younger (Agricultural Strategy Manager); Lucy Sumsion (FWAG), Andy Robinson (RSPB), David Kerr (ABC), Alan Minshaw (SAC), David Brewster (SAC), Robert Macintyre (ABC), Andrew Robertson (ABC),Bill Dundas (SEERAD), Ross Lilley (SNH) Alan Kennedy (NFU Bute) . Marina Curran-Colthart (ABC Biodiversity Officer) Catherine Ralston (SARI) Duncan Macalister (NFU Kintyre) Lorna Elliot (ABC Leader) Heather Anderson (Minute Secretary ABC). Samuel Kyeremeh (SEPA) (not present at start) Professors McCrone and Crofts (Royal Society of Edinburgh) (not present at start)

Welcome

Angus welcomed everyone to the meeting particularly those attending for the first time and did a round of table introduction. Sederunt was taken and apologies (see above) recorded. Angus explained that the Members from the Royal Society of Edinburgh had been delayed and would not be joining the meeting until approximately noon and therefore the order of the Agenda would be altered accordingly.

Minutes From Last Meeting

Unanimously Approved

Meeting Minutes

MATTERS ARISING

Robert Mcintyre asked if Bute could be considered as a venue for future Forum meetings.

ARGYLL AREA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – Fergus Younger

Fergus gave the Forum an update on the main projects he is working on using a power point presentation:-

Renewables -Biogas on Bute
The consultants commissioned by the working group had been asked to give an options appraisal on one big plant or several small plants and the option of one small plant on Bute seemed the most likely. Fergus outlined some of the considerations:-
 Capital costs
 Grid connection
 Land availability
 Planning
 Transport
 Maintenance
 Costs of feedstocks – stability?

Fergus pointed out that even if the project did not go ahead it would be a useful model for the future. Fergus
Informed the Forum of a similar project in Holdsworth in Devon and it was suggested that Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning Department could liaise with the Devon project regarding planning issues and how they had resolved them.

The consultants appraisal is imminent and Fergus undertook to circulate the consultants feasibility options appraisal to Forum members.

Local Food Issues – adding value
 Farmer’s markets sites in Lochgilphead and Campbeltown established and this will be evaluated.

 Food into Schools – the Pilot Project in Bute has obtained funding.

 Marketing Initiatives – following on from the
Connect Festival in Inveraray last year the group of five/six Producers will attend several large events over the summer including T in the Park, Golf at Loch Lomond and Mountain Biking in Inverness . Fergus is seeking funding to promote the Argyll identity and hopes to obtain support from other areas such as arts and culture, health etc and eventually pilot the proposal.

 Processing – Islay Red Meat Seminar on 20 March 2008 and Campbeltown evening meeting on 19 March 2008
.
Next Generation
 Fergus reported on the possibility of a Rural Skills co-ordinator post being based in the Highlands and on the cross sectoral benefits in bringing employers such as Forestry Commission Scotland together.


Fergus advised the Forum that he, along with Marina Curran-Colthart had attended a conference on sustainability in Amberg-Sulzbach (the twin region of Argyll and Bute) on 24 November 2007. Following on from that he had given a presentation to the Senior Management Group of Argyll and Bute Council who are keen to forge stronger links with Amberg-Sulzbach.

The Forum discussed Working Farm Woodlands and the supply chain. The Forum felt that it would be useful if Bob McIlwraith, the Biomass Development Officer from Alienergy attended the next meeting to give an update to Members.

The intended Lamb Supply Chain Seminar had held an initial meeting but unfortunately the supermarkets did not attend.

The Forum discussed the pressure that could be put on the markets by the consumer.



BLUE TONGUE-DAVID KERR

David Kerr explained that it was proposed to have a voluntary vaccination programme during 2009 and depending on the uptake this could then become a compulsory programme.

After discussion the Forum agreed that it was vital that there was a clear vaccination programme. The Members felt that it was important that the Forum should make it’s views known to the council. It was agreed that a statement should be issued by Argyll and Bute Council possibly along with Highland Council and Fergus Younger was asked to pursue this.

Bio-security issues were discussed and the need for more training to be built into training events. It was agreed that David Kerr and Angus McFadyen would discuss this further and report back to the next Forum meeting.


S.R.P.D. UPDATE –
ROSS LILLEY

 The announcement of the Leader programme is imminent.
 12 March 2008 Scottish Government Budget .
 Regional Priorities – applications from 07 April 2008 (projected date) – proposals submitted by 19 May 2008.

PROFESSOR MCCRONE AND PROFESSOR JOINED THE MEETING AND ANGUS MCFADYEN DID A ROUND THE TABLE INTRODUCTION FOR THEIR BENEFIT

Ross Lilley advised that meetings and training are still on-going and the Forum felt that inclusive on site training was paramount for all parties involved.

SAM KYREMAH JOINED THE MEETING


TRAINING NEEDS

Fergus Younger referred to the briefing note previously circulated and asked the meeting for their views on the possibility of setting up a Training Sub-Group from the Forum.

Fergus to initially approach training providers.

Angus MacFadyen invited Marina Curran-Colthart to advise the Forum of forthcoming events :-
 Marina handed out an information sheet on an event being held at St Moluag’s Centre, Oban on 13 March 2008 regarding Climate Change.
 The annual biodiversity trip was being held on Islay on 18 March 2008 and spaces were available if anyone wished to attend.
 Marina handed out wildlife survey information leaflets.


FORUM IDENTITY

Fergus Younger invited the members to discuss the suggestion that the Argyll and Bute Agricultural Forum might consider changing its name to, for example Argyll and Bute Land Use Forum . Fergus split the Members into two groups and asked them to spend ten minutes to discuss and record their views using a flipchart as to the positives and negatives of this.

Fergus explained that he would analyse the information from the completed flip charts and report back to the next meeting.

Alan Minshaw reported to the Forum on the progress of obtaining funding for Fergus Younger’s post. Fergus having originally been seconded from SNH. Alan explained that in total £180,000 was required for X years and included in this amount was an element for office expenditure including the possibility of obtaining some admin support.


FORUM FUNDING UPDATE – A. MINSHAW

Several funders had agreed in principle including Leader,SNH, SAC. Argyll and Bute Council (£10,000 for two years) Possibility of Forestry Commission making a contribution if linked to aspects of their work.

Angus MacFadyen also advised that the figures would be presented to the NFU to help in obtaining a contribution from them.

The Forum expressed their appreciation to Fergus for his patience whilst this issue was being resolved and thanked him for all his work.


NEXT STEPS AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY-
FERGUS YOUNGER

Fergus explained to the Forum that the next steps are in draft form and that these would be aligned with the SRPID over the next few weeks and then a timetable drawn up.

For the benefit of the Members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh who had missed his earlier update Fergus recapped on his report.

Catherine Ralston left the meeting


ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH

Professor McCrone and Professor Crofts explained the background to the Forum advising that this was their last visit and their Report would be published in June 2008 and would then go to the Scottish Executive.

The Forum discussed the importance of the Report and various related issues such as affordable housing, transport, communications etc.

Angus McFadyen thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting

Provisionally fixed for 22 May 2008 in Oban but may be subject to change.

NOW CHANGED TO 02 JUNE 2008

For access to all the documented minutes since May 2007 please click here.