13 October 2007, Inveraray Primary School, 19.30

Present



Present: Angus McFadyen (Chair);Fergus Younger (Agricultural Strategy Manager); Lucy Sumsion (FWAG),(NFU), Keith Miller (Forestry Commission Scotland), Syd House )Forestry Commission Scotland) Samuel Kyeremeh (SEPA), Rory Colville (ABC), Robert Miller (High Catterdale Farm), Alex Anderson (Achnacloich Connel), Angus MacGillivray (Blarghour, Lochaweside), Catriona Skeeffe (Blarghour, Lochaweside) M Crawford (Blarghour, Lochaweside) Audrey Martin (ABC),Bill Dundas (SEERAD), Ross Lilley (SNH), Marina Curran-Colthart (Biodiversity Officer) Gordon Gray Stephens (Scottish Nature Woods), Euan Warnock (NFU), Iain Craig (Ring Argyll) Heather Anderson (Minute Secretary ABC).

Aplogies

Apologies: Robert McIntyre, David Kerr, Jamie Mellor (and by e-mail Andy Robinson RSPB).

Welcome

Angus McFadyen 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.


Item

Discussions Action/
Timescale

Minutes From Last Meeting

Previous
Minutes Unanimously Approved
Matters
Arising Regarding the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s visits to Islay and Mull as part of their enquiry into , Angus advised the Forum that he and Fergus had met with Members of the Society, and that the Society Members had attended a sheep sale on Islay last week as part of their visit. The Society still wish to attend a Forum meeting early in 2008. Their report is due out in June 2008

Meeting Minutes

AMcF &FY Fergus explained that in implementing the strategy there are several areas that he is working on:- Local Food Issues – adding value Farmer’s Markets- securing better sites in Campbeltown and Lochgilphead Local Food Events Producer’s Groups Food in Schools – Pilot Project in Bute encouraging the procurement of locally produced food. Processing – The Abbatoir on Islay is currently under construction and should be operational by Mid Summer 2008. Working to ensure farmers have appropriate training to make the most of the opportunity. The Forum agreed that a visit to Islay incorporating a Forum meeting in the evening should form part of the programme of meetings for 2008. Marketing initiatives - The Connect Festival in Inveraray had been a very successful marketing tool with the demand for products being extremely high. Feedback all very positive from both the purchasers and sellers. The Festival organisers also very pleased and have asked if it can be replicated at T in the Park and other events next year. It is hoped that this group of producers will go to 5/6 events next year. A feasibility study is currently being undertaken to determine the viability of doing this. Renewables Biogas on Bute – consultants have been commissioned to take forward various options and their appraisal is due in December/January. If the project is viable the next step will then be to prepare a business case. Training Events The case studies from 2007 will be available on the website shortly. The programme for 2008 will be more focused and will include – renewables (following on from the Hydro workshop held this year), working woods, waste composting, local food, horticulture. Next Generation Trying to encourage young people into the industry and addressing the rural skills gap. Possibility of a Leader bid for a project. Succession planning. Identifying routes into farming. Fergus also mentioned his involvement in various groups including Community Planning, S.R.D.P. The Forum is also looking to host a Lamb supply chain seminar which would be mentioned later in the meeting. Angus thanked Fergus and invited questions from the Forum. Marina Curran-Colthart asked Fergus was there a possibility of an umbrella logo for Argyll producers? Fergus replied that this was being looked at with a strong regional identity with business brands operating underneath. Sam Kyremah asked if an environmental impact assessment had been done as part of the Biogas project in Bute. Fergus advised that this had been considered but the project was not yet at this advanced stage. SEPA are also involved with the discussion. Angus advised the Forum that they were still intending to have a Lamb Supply Chain Seminar. It is hoped to facilitate a meeting and to get producers and representatives from across the supply chain inlcuidng supermarkets to attend.The Forum discussed the seriousness of the situation which had been exacerbated by the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Bill Dundas from Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspection Directorate was invited to give his presentation and Bill explained the remit:- To give brief update on the Scottish Rural Development Programme and the regionalisation of priorities, the Scottish Rural Development Plan and Rural Priorities – Tier Three. To inform stakeholders about work completed to date locally in regionalising the National Priorities. To seek feedback on the draft Regional Priorities before 30 November 2007 to allow feedback to be collated by the start of December 2007. Bill advised that the Regional Priorities would be reviewed on a yearly basis but that feedback at this stage was still sought. Bill then took the Forum through a power point presentation and a copy of the three documents referred to is attached as an appendix to this Minute. Ross Lilley gave out paper copies of the Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities – List of 35 packages and the Argyll Prioritisation Statement Draft at 13 November 2007 for perusal at the meeting and again emphasised that feedback had to be received before 30 November 2007. Marina Curran Colthart and Bill Dundas left the meeting. Angus welcomed Iain Craig the Manager of the Rural Business Ring who advised that the membership of the Ring was increasing, but that a recent in house training event on pesticides had been hampered by the closure of the Rest and Be Thankful. Iain expressed his desire to be involved with the Forum in the future. Lucy Sumsion gave the Forum updates on behalf of Marina Curran-Colthart:- Land use project – evaluating the effectiveness of Agri-Environment schemes in Argyll for biodiversity – will be e-mailed out to Forum members. Freshwater project Phase II complete with ditch improvement and reed bed included. Biodiversity Forum Meeting to be held on 13 December 2007 in the offices of SNH in Lochgilphead. All welcome. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Heather Anderson in the first instance. The Agenda will be Beaver, Mink Control and SRDP Projects. Angus advised the Forum that a meeting of the Finance Sub Group would be held in December to organise a budget for Fergus’s post. Angus again reiterated the dire financial situation that many sheep farmers are facing with lamb prices being down by 47% - 50% and the role of the Forum in trying to help the industry. The dates for 2008 meetings to be circulated with a visit to Islay being incorporated ARGYLL AND BUTE AGRICULTURAL FORUM DATES FOR MEETINGS FOR 2008 Friday 01 February 2008- Mid Argyll 12.00 for 12.30 Thursday 23 May 2008- Oban 7pm Wednesday 20 August 2008 – Islay-daytime Thursday 13 November 2008- Campbeltown 7pm Venues will be confirmed nearer the time. FY HA AMcF, FY, AM &HA Angus McFadyen 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. Item Discussions Action/Timescale Previous Minutes Unanimously Approved Matters Arising Regarding the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s visits to Islay and Mull as part of their enquiry into , Angus advised the Forum that he and Fergus had met with Members of the Society, and that the Society Members had attended a sheep sale on Islay last week as part of their visit. The Society still wish to attend a Forum meeting early in 2008. Their report is due out in June 2008 AMcF &FY Fergus explained that in implementing the strategy there are several areas that he is working on:- Local Food Issues – adding value Farmer’s Markets- securing better sites in Campbeltown and Lochgilphead Local Food Events Producer’s Groups Food in Schools – Pilot Project in Bute encouraging the procurement of locally produced food. Processing – The Abbatoir on Islay is currently under construction and should be operational by Mid Summer 2008. Working to ensure farmers have appropriate training to make the most of the opportunity. The Forum agreed that a visit to Islay incorporating a Forum meeting in the evening should form part of the programme of meetings for 2008. Marketing initiatives - The Connect Festival in Inveraray had been a very successful marketing tool with the demand for products being extremely high. Feedback all very positive from both the purchasers and sellers. The Festival organisers also very pleased and have asked if it can be replicated at T in the Park and other events next year. It is hoped that this group of producers will go to 5/6 events next year. A feasibility study is currently being undertaken to determine the viability of doing this. Renewables Biogas on Bute – consultants have been commissioned to take forward various options and their appraisal is due in December/January. If the project is viable the next step will then be to prepare a business case. Training Events The case studies from 2007 will be available on the website shortly. The programme for 2008 will be more focused and will include – renewables (following on from the Hydro workshop held this year), working woods, waste composting, local food, horticulture. Next Generation Trying to encourage young people into the industry and addressing the rural skills gap. Possibility of a Leader bid for a project. Succession planning. Identifying routes into farming. Fergus also mentioned his involvement in various groups including Community Planning, S.R.D.P. The Forum is also looking to host a Lamb supply chain seminar which would be mentioned later in the meeting. Angus thanked Fergus and invited questions from the Forum. Marina Curran-Colthart asked Fergus was there a possibility of an umbrella logo for Argyll producers? Fergus replied that this was being looked at with a strong regional identity with business brands operating underneath. Sam Kyremah asked if an environmental impact assessment had been done as part of the Biogas project in Bute. Fergus advised that this had been considered but the project was not yet at this advanced stage. SEPA are also involved with the discussion. Angus advised the Forum that they were still intending to have a Lamb Supply Chain Seminar. It is hoped to facilitate a meeting and to get producers and representatives from across the supply chain inlcuidng supermarkets to attend.The Forum discussed the seriousness of the situation which had been exacerbated by the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Bill Dundas from Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspection Directorate was invited to give his presentation and Bill explained the remit:- To give brief update on the Scottish Rural Development Programme and the regionalisation of priorities, the Scottish Rural Development Plan and Rural Priorities – Tier Three. To inform stakeholders about work completed to date locally in regionalising the National Priorities. To seek feedback on the draft Regional Priorities before 30 November 2007 to allow feedback to be collated by the start of December 2007. Bill advised that the Regional Priorities would be reviewed on a yearly basis but that feedback at this stage was still sought. Bill then took the Forum through a power point presentation and a copy of the three documents referred to is attached as an appendix to this Minute. Ross Lilley gave out paper copies of the Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities – List of 35 packages and the Argyll Prioritisation Statement Draft at 13 November 2007 for perusal at the meeting and again emphasised that feedback had to be received before 30 November 2007. Marina Curran Colthart and Bill Dundas left the meeting. Angus welcomed Iain Craig the Manager of the Rural Business Ring who advised that the membership of the Ring was increasing, but that a recent in house training event on pesticides had been hampered by the closure of the Rest and Be Thankful. Iain expressed his desire to be involved with the Forum in the future. Lucy Sumsion gave the Forum updates on behalf of Marina Curran-Colthart:- Land use project – evaluating the effectiveness of Agri-Environment schemes in Argyll for biodiversity – will be e-mailed out to Forum members. Freshwater project Phase II complete with ditch improvement and reed bed included. Biodiversity Forum Meeting to be held on 13 December 2007 in the offices of SNH in Lochgilphead. All welcome. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Heather Anderson in the first instance. The Agenda will be Beaver, Mink Control and SRDP Projects. Angus advised the Forum that a meeting of the Finance Sub Group would be held in December to organise a budget for Fergus’s post. Angus again reiterated the dire financial situation that many sheep farmers are facing with lamb prices being down by 47% - 50% and the role of the Forum in trying to help the industry. The dates for 2008 meetings to be circulated with a visit to Islay being incorporated ARGYLL AND BUTE AGRICULTURAL FORUM DATES FOR MEETINGS FOR 2008 Friday 01 February 2008- Mid Argyll 12.00 for 12.30 Thursday 23 May 2008- Oban 7pm Wednesday 20 August 2008 – Islay-daytime Thursday 13 November 2008- Campbeltown 7pm Venues will be confirmed nearer the time. FY HA AMcF, FY, AM &HA

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