SRDP possible future funding source to assist in re-instating the original river line however there is a need to move quickly – The Forum gave encouragement to push ahead

2.  Agriculture Strategy Manager Update

Scottish Government consultation on the review of the current Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) closed on the 19^th December 2008.There are significant concerns about the unprecedented rate of decline in agricultural activity in Argyll and Bute and the resulting loss of livestock from our hill sides.

Fergus passed around an update paper, details bellow:

Development Manager Update  February 2009

Working Farm Woodlands project-facilitation project to assess the potential for 2 groups of farmers to work together utilising their farm woodlands.  Initial evening meetings 11^th and 12^th of   March (details on website).  Funding secured form FCS and LLTNP – application submitted to Argyll and to Lomond Leader.

Kintyre Red Meat Feasibility –report produced as part of the research work into supply and demand for local food in Kintyre.  This funded as an off shoot of the Bute produce project.  Report can be used by farmers as a directory of options for red meat processing.  (full details on website)

Argyll Hill Lamb Producers Working Group –lamb finishing project with 250 blackface lambs form North Argyll and Mull put to finish in the borders.  Measuring all costs on store farm and finishing farm. Over half the lambs are being sold through the auction ring others maybe sold through and Argyll wholesaler. There is potential for this lamb also to be part of a SG trial to assess the potential for local products for public procurement contracts.  Attempting to generate wider publicity for working group as farmers who are looking for local solutions.

Food From Argyll –working with the group of producers to secure funds for a coordination role for 2009-2010 to continue attending large scale events.  Feasibility draft complete – looking at cooperative processing and marketing – SRDP funds. Continuing to link this with ABC as a means of promoting the area – but has been scaled back to a campaigning issue on their corporate plan.

Bute Biogas – still winding along.  Possibilities of a large central plant appear uneconomical – Glasgow Caledonian University are currently carrying out feasibility on local food waste.  Expect it to revert to a one or two farm pilots. Also working with farmers and rejig on Islay to look at potential of draff , pot ale and spent lease plant.  Questions over supply of draff for farmers and use of digestate.

On Farm Hydro –speaking with 7 farmers who are currently having difficulties getting micro hydro of the ground.  Will hold a meeting in March to bring potential community groups and funding interests and farmers together.

Farm Diversification case studies – 4 now complete to draft stage – 2 hydro, 1 wind and one waste.  One other waste and 2 woodland studies associated with the working farm woodland project.  Will be added to the website once complete

Rural Skills in Schools – held meeting in early February with school teachers responsible for rural skills across Argyll.  Forum to carry out research on level of involvement in Argyll and report back in March.  Enthusiasm for taking on a rural skills coordinator for Argyll (similar to highland model) – outline expression of funding from ABC and Argyll College.

Planting 2 Plate –project potential in Argyll crofting areas.  Growing project for primary children.

Discussion followed on the current local food pilot scheme being run in the schools on Bute. If successful this could be rolled out to other areas in Argyll.

It was highlighted that there can be difficulty in getting a wide range of local food in Argyll particularly red meat.

The existing online directory of Farmers and Producers for Argyll was discussed.

Again the lack of local abattoirs was discussed and the issues surrounding the viability of developing these locally such as the co-ordination of transport. The Agricultural Forum web site now contains a complete listing of abattoir costs and transport routes.  This was carried out as part of the Kintyre local food feasibility project.

There followed a discussion as to the possibility and cost of developing a Campbeltown abattoir, this would need to be an industry led project and would require a project officer to take it forward.   A local abattoir could reduce food miles however there would need to be local support not just from local farmers but also local butchers.  Previous studies have shown that a local abattoir would not be enough on its own, it would be critical to also have a processing and distribution arm.

Rory suggested that the new climate challenge funded post could help take this forward. An update to be provided on the South Kintyre Initiative for next meeting, when their new project officer is in post.

Argyll food producers 2007/08 promotion pilot very successful – as it is helping to create a stronger identity for Argyll.  Promoting Argyll as a high quality food producer and as a good food destination   Argyll Food Promotion possibly going to 6 -8 events this year –depends on successful funding application to Food processing and marketing grants scheme Cooperation element.

Bute biogas pilot plant is still being investigated but on a lesser scale.

Euan Warnock raised concern over the development of a possible plant on Islay

Material i.e malt draff  from distilleries could be used as  a feed stock

 Farmers are concerned about the loss of distiller’s malt draff which is an excellent feedstuff.

The Forum were advised that Alienergy has a new Chair, Mr David McKenzie, who could advise on ‘small scale on-farm hydro’

A series of Farm Diversification Case Studies will soon be available on the Forum website.

There then followed a general discussion regarding a letter sent to the Chair of the Forum seeking potential wind farm sites on his farm.

3.  River basin Management - Julia McPherson, SEPA

Julia gave a power point presentation, copies of this are available on request.  Julia confirmed that a wide range of agencies were consulted in the development of the Management Plan (see SEPA website for further details).

4.  Access report - Audrey Martin

Fergus had been in contact with the new access officer Joyolin and had received copies of the dates for the core path meeting consultation.

Access manager TO BE APPROCHED TO TALK TO THE FORUM – NEXT AGENDA?

Discussion followed on Farm paths – Land Management Contracts? Option taken up well but there is no future support forthcoming

5.  Hill Lamb Project

250 Lambs from 8 farms finished at the borders Farmers paid 75% of the value 157 sold through market and 25 of these will come back to Argyll – Argyll lamb product sold through forteiths.  The interest in this scheme was substantial in the farming community.  Farmers offering grass for finishing – Angus reported that the lambs were in the low end weight wise definite room for improvement.  Important minimum weight requirement for the lamb.

Pilot – Local food procurement into public sector being followed up with the forteiths lamb and also potential for lamb onto calmac.

Priority costs

BBC publicity potential to be followed up.

Will be on website some time soon

Use all areas Fife/Borders/Kintyre to finish.

6.  Working Farm Wood Project

Forestry Commission /LLNP / Leader Argyll/Lomond Leader applied for funding

Non timber products, woodfuel, field trip projects

Flyer passed round detailing information evenings at National Park HQ on the 11^th March and at Kilmartin House Museum 12^th March.

Meetings to inspire farmers then look for funding.

Agriculture Forum managing project

The idea is to raise awareness with woodland activity also look at woodland expansion.  A good turnout is expected.  This event has been advertised and flyers have been distributed

Woodland Strategy report from Sybil on this initial meeting is on the forum website ?

Councillors will be the ones to endorse this document.  This Strategy will involve agriculture.  Lucy and Fergus attending the meetings.

There is a great need for  a Land Use Strategy as set out by the RSE

Sybil willing to speak to Forum

Engage with Royal Society Cross Party Report – Fergus time, to do initial groundwork

7.  Rural Skills

Taken up successfully in Islay, FC and RSPB are also involved. Argyll College – rural skills – meet Officers – Teachers  - rural Businesses – Late March/early April report back on way forward for a rural skills coordinator..  Rural Skills co-ordinator in Argyll has been proposed but would involve match funding Agriculture Forum as the facilitator needs private/public funding – 2 year full time post, both the Council and the College have pledged £10k each.

8.  AOCB

Farm Sunday June 1^st suggestion by June Bowis

Ferries Review - Forum to send letter?

David Kerr update for next meeting

NFUS Argyll and Bute Regional Manager applications now closed and it was agreed that this post should be good for the area with improved communication

RPAC

There were 120 applications received, the majority of these are

Agriculture Environmental Cases

There are 5 funding pots

SIDP

Statement of intent 25 days to prove

Next meeting end of June

ps this meeting has now been cancelled, there is no date for the next meeting at the moment.

9.  STRATEGY REVIEW

Fergus had printed off pages from the Strategy document and went through point by point to see if items were still relevant or needed changes.  This process will need to be continued at a further meeting.

10.  Date for next meeting

At 1pm 12^th June in the Pavilion, Rothesay, Isle of Bute.