13 May 2006, Grey Gull Inn, Ardrishaig, 12.30
Present
Angus MacFadyen Chair, Bill Dundas SEERAD, Ross Lilley - SNH, Keith Miller FCS, David Kerr ABC, Alan Minshaw SAC,Jane Fowler-ABC, Catriona Bell Rural Business Ring.
Councillor Robert Macintrye ABC,- Iain Campbell AIE, Lisa Webb-NFU, Jacqui MacLeod Crofters Commission, Audrey Martin ABC, Marina Curran-Colthart Local Biodiversity Officer, - Lucy Sumsion FWAG, - Rebecca Carr FCS, - Fergus Younger-Agricultural Stategy Manager, - Catherine McNally and Heather Anderson -ABC Minute Secretaries.
Aplogies
Catherine Ralston, Councillor Rory Colville, Michaela Clelland, Aedan Smith.
Meeting Minutes
3. Argyll Area Agriculture Strategy Development Manager Update Fergus
Fergus reported that in last 6/7 weeks he has been going round the area introducing himself to farm community and concentrating on development opportunities linked to the key areas of the strategy. He attended a number of meetings in respect of the Scottish Rural Development Programme for Scotland 2007/2013 which is currently out for consultation, a discussion followed where it was agreed that Fergus would pull together a response to the SRDP on behalf of the forum concentrating specifically on the link with the Argyll Agriculture Strategy.
Rural Business Ring setting up an Argyll Rural Calendar this will be updated weekly on the website it will also be available in the local press and the monthly NFU and other partners. Training needs has been identified as a key issue within the agriculture community. In terms of food production/ local food sector Fergus is looking at other areas in Scotland and how they manage their local food production linked to this is the development of local Farmers Markets and consumer needs. Fergus is to meet with the Food Procurement Manager for food supplies for Schools to discuss the opportunity for utilising local food production there are concerns that there is limited use of local suppliers. Angus suggested that he and Councillor McIntyre should raise this issue with Cllr Macaskill.
Catriona Bell raised the issue of slaughterhouse facilities in Argyll and Ian Campbell commented that it was unlikely that this would go ahead at this time funded by the public sector but if a new plan were to be put forward which was private sector led it would be considered.
Press release and photo to go out regarding the appointment of Fergus as Agriculture Strategy Manager.
4. Rural Development Programme for Scotland Current consultation Jane attended the meeting regarding the Scottish Rural Development Plan. She reported that the document is currently out to consultation which
closes on 29th June. The Leader + Local Action Group is submitting a response to the Plan, taking into account the Argyll and Bute perspective. The Rural Development Regulation, which sets the policy context for the SRDP presents significant opportunities to develop integrated rural development, bringing agriculture and the wider rural community together, in a way clearly illustrated by the Agricultural Forum Strategy. However, the SRDP does not take advantage of this, preferring to focus almost exclusively on delivery through Land Management Contracts, which, as well as restricting rural communities from accessing funds, is heavily weighted to the environment as opposed to a balance with economy and community. This has led to imbalance in the document, with very little consideration given to using LEADER as a mechanism for integrated rural development. In proposing an additional tier of partnerships decision making (the RPAC) it does not reflect Best Value in the public sector. There is also concern that there is no mention of Transnational/transregional activities, which have delivered successful project in the past, including for the agricultural sector.
5. Developing Farm Wood Fuel Energy
Rebecca Carr from Forestry Commission gave presentation on Developing Farm Wood fuel Energy
6. Farm Waste Seminars/Argyll & Bute Waste Strategy Group
Michaela Clelland has advised the forum that at this time they are not able to hold a Farm Waste Seminars in Argyll there however two dates of Seminars in other areas in Scotland which will be forwarded to the Members by email. It was suggested that video conferencing should be considered and this is being looked into. Emailed Michaela re video conferencing and also sent to forum members list of dates 16 June
7. Transport Strategy
Scottish National Transport Strategy is out for consultation with a deadline of July 2006. Argyll and Bute Council are responding to the consultation there are concerns at the lack of reference to ferries in a rural context and the implications of this for our lifeline services.
8. Access Forum Update Jenny Pollard
Over 80 people showed an interest in the Forum, we received 49 completed applications forms. 18 primary members were selected out of the 49 to represent land managers (6), community interests (6) and user groups (6).
Invites were sent out to Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission, National Health Service, Visit Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council to put forward a representative. Visit Scotland had to decline due to staff limitations, but will be kept informed of Forum business.
The other organisations put forward a representative bringing primary Forum membership to a total of 22 members.
A further 15 secondary members were selected representing community interests (6), user groups (6) and land managers (3). Due to the number of responses received there are still three places available for land managers as secondary members.
9. Community Action for Biodiversity Phase 11 Land Use Demonstration Projects Update
Lucy reported on the Land Use Demonstrations Project. 205 questionnaires were sent out asking farmers and land mangers to give their interpretation of the success or otherwise of past Agri Environment Schemes in Argyll e.g. ESA, CPS & RSS. Following on from the survey four workshops are planned to take place as follows: Tuesday 27th June, Mull - Tuesday 11th July, Campbeltown - Thursday 13th July, North Connel - Tuesday 25th July, Inveraray. Attendees at the meetings will include farmers, crofters, land mangers and representatives from SAC, SNH & SEERAD. A report summarising the findings of the surveys and the workshops will be passed on to SEERAD
10. Members Updates
BIODIVERSITY Marinas report
Invasive and non invasive species- Scottish Executive Working Group- MCC- COSLA representative on Biodiversity issues. Currently working on Invasive non-native species, next meeting 4th July 2006- will keep the Agricultural Forum posted
2 projects Demonstration Projects- 1.Landuse looking at the Effectiveness of Agri-Environment Schemes, a series of workshops (invitation only) on Mull- 27th June, Campbeltown-11 July, North Argyll-13 July and Mid-Argyll 25th July to discuss with farmers and crofters as to what prescriptions work or do not work for them and to offer ideas to make them work better in the Argyll & Bute situation.
2. Freshwater project- based on the Euchar Catchment Guide- outputs a survey called the Sink link- all household in the catchment will be encouraged to participate, a school project will follow and the installation of a Reed bed. The project will be completed by the end of 2006.
Community Action for Biodiversity Phase II Grants we have a small sum of money left, 15 projects have been funded and three have been fully completed. We will be posting more information on the projects on www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/biodiversity shortly.
Biodiversity Forum Annual Field Trips takes to the water, - 4 Sept, Marine
visit from Isle of Seil and Crinan this years event will entail a
contribution towards the costs of the hire of the boats and crew. More
information to follow in August 06.
AGM- Demonstration project day 1 November- Cairnbann further
information in due course.
Reported on the success of the Annual Conference 31st May- report to be posted on the website
RURAL BUSINESS RING Catriona reported that there are now 150
members in the ring, and the membership is broadening to include aquaculture and shellfish. Members are also joining as sponsors, people like accountants and solicitors who want to see a thriving rural economy but would not be involved in member to member transactions. The new office in Campbeltown is operating, taking over much of the admin and enabling manager Colin Cameron to concentrate on developing the business. Colin with assistance from Lucy is producing a newsletter which will be out shortly. Fergus and Colin are working together to produce an Argyll Rural Calendar. Colin will be at Highland Show on the Scottish Machinery Ring Association stand on Friday 23rd June, and is inviting members and others interested to call for coffee and chat.
DAVID KERR WELFARE OF ANIMALS TRANSPORT ORDER
David Kerr noted that the newly approved Animal Welfare (Scotland) Regulations will impact on the implementation of transport legislation. He also identified the provisions of the amendment regulations to WATO which include the authorization of persons transporting vertebrate livestock in excess of 65km (travelled not as the crow flies).
All hauliers will require an authorization. Assessment will be by independent commercial businesses approved by SEERAD and the SVS. For operators travelling less than 8hrs, this is likely to take the form of a theory test but for long haul operators (in excess of 8hrs, the authorization will involve practical demonstration and accompanied driving. The costs will be borne directly by the operator and each driver will have to be authorized for the categories of stock he/she will drive.
11. AOCB
12. DONM Wednesday 30 August in the SEERAD offices, Oban phone Bob Clark 01631 563071 Bob to arrange catering
AGENDA
STEVEN ALIENERGY
FERGUS
JACQUI MACLEOD UPDATE
FORRESTRY ARGYLL FARMING
ABATTOIR AT AVENVOGIE IN ISLAY
For access to all the documented minutes since May 2007 please click here.
