23 April 2007, Grey Gull, Ardishaig, 19..30

Present

Present: Angus McFadyen (Chair);Fergus Younger (Agricultural Strategy Manager); Lucy Sumsion (FWAG), Andy Robinson (RSPB), John Paterson (NFU), Keith Miller (Forestry Commission Scotland), Steven Cook (High Balantyre Farm, Inveraray) D. Ford (High Balantyre Farm, Inveraray), David Kerr (ABC), Samuel Kyeremeh (SEPA), Michaela Clelland (SEPA), Rory Colville (ABC), Alan Minshaw (SAC), David Brewster (SAC), Julia McPherson (SEPA), Robert Miller (Farmer), Robert Macintyre (ABC), Audrey Martin (ABC),Bill Dundas (SEERAD), Katie Ritchie (Barbreck Farm), Heather Anderson (Minute Secretary ABC).

Aplogies

Apologies: Mary (Argyll Business Ring), Caroline Ronald (Saulmore Farm), Lisa Webb (NFU), Jacqui McLeod (Crofters Commission) Catriona Bell (Rural Business Ring), Marina Curran-Colthart (Biodiversity Officer) Ross Lilley (SNH), Stuart Campbell (Young Farmers), Duncan McAllister

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.

Minutes From Last Meeting

Previous
Minutes Unanimously Approved

Actions From Last Meeting



Matters
Arising None
Argyll Area
Agricultural
Dev. Mngr
Update –
FERGUS
YOUNGER




































































TRANSPORT REGS 2006 AND ISLAND MARKETING –
DAVID KERR
















































RIVER BASIN PLANNING – JULIA MCPHERSON –SEPA
































SUSTAINABLE
DESIGN GUIDANCE – AUDREY MARTIN






RURAL BUSINESS RING UPDATE-
RORY


MEMBERS UPDATES







































































A.O.C.B.




DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Fergus informed the meeting that the Argyll and Bute Agricultural Forum website was now live and could be accessed at www.agriculture.com and that a press release informing of the launch would be going out at a later date.

Items on the website include the events calendar and the local food producers directory

Meeting Minutes


Angus gave some background information as to the formation of the Forum and its aims and objectives in raising the awareness of agricultural issues.

Fergus gave a power point presentation on the Agricultural Strategy (copies of which were available at the meeting) and explained the 4 main themes of the strategy
 Information and Advice
 Broadening Income Streams
 Adding Value to the Local Food Chain
 Infrastructure

Fergus outlined his role and they key areas of his work:-

Workshop Programme for 2007
Fergus gave a brief overview advising that the next workshop was internet training - 2 hour events taking place at various locations throughout Argyll and Bute letters being issued and press releases arranged in order to advertise event.

Argyll Local Food Products
Events being organised and producers encouraged to make contact with Fergus to advertise their products. Fergus explained about the using local food in schools campaign.

Biogas on Bute
Fergus informed the meeting of the possibility of a dedicated person being appointed to progress this project . In response to a question from Robert Macintyre as to the capital costs involved Fergus advised that the costings were due shortly.

Following Fergus’s presentation Angus informed the meeting that Fergus had given a presentation to the NFU which NFU Members had enthused on and other areas had commented as to how impressed they were with the progress of Argyll and Bute . Angus advised of the launch of the new Scottish Food and Drink promotion which is to take place at the Highland Show at Ingliston in June 07. The themes being tackled are themes which are already identified in the Strategy. Angus advised that there was a very large budget for this but that the delivery mechanism for this was still to be decided. The funding was to be realised by 50% public funding 25% membership and 25% from organised events.

Angus took this opportunity to update the Forum on the recent Steering Group Meeting on 17 May 2007, advising that Argyll and Bute council had funded a consultant to give advice on a proposed business plan and this was currently being finalised. Angus advised that Fergus’s post is currently funded until September 07 and that Argyll and Bute Council and the National Farmers Union had given a financial commitment and other new potential partners are being investigated. It may be that an interim funding package will have to be put in place for 6 months.

The possibility of an approach to the Esme Fairbairn Trust was discussed.

David Kerr explained that these E E C Regulations had come into force in January 2007 and due to the geographic nature of Argyll problems were being encountered which currently posed a threat to the viability of the Islay and Tiree markets, part of the problem being that the main distribution centre is located in the North East of Scotland.

David explained that currently attempts were being made to interpret the Regulations and agree Argyll exceptions. David emphasised that these exceptions referred to Tiree and Islay only, though problems could arise on the mainland depending on the definition of the regulations.

The meeting discussed the confusion surrounding the regulations regarding water being provided in vehicles.

David suggested that the Forum that perhaps the Forum should consider being more proactive in responding to consultations in order to consider the implications fully before future regulations are passed.

Forum agreed to lend any support to David in meetings he attends regarding the Regulations.

The Forum to receive Minutes of the recent AHW Stakeholder Group-bluetongue meeting

David suggested that the Forum that perhaps the Forum should consider being more proactive in responding to consultations in order to consider the implications fully before future regulations are passed.

Iain Strachan has been invited to visit the Tiree and Islay markets

Robert and Angus expressed concern that this had not appeared on any NFU Agendas and undertook to raise it with the NFU.

The Forum felt that early contact with Edinburgh was essential and for peripheral visits to Argyll to be requested.

Forum expressed the view that it was not their intention to be obstructive but were looking for practicable working standards and welcome any regulations that improved animal heath and welfare.

It was agreed that Jane Fowler, the Council’s European Officer would be briefed prior to her forthcoming visit to Brussels in order to raise Argyll issues.

Julia MacPherson explained that following a E U directive on water condition SEPA had been carrying out a risk assessment of all water stretches in Scotland both coastal and inland.

The Forum noted that in both Helensburgh and Bute are included in the Clyde area not the Argyll area.

Julia explained that the current consultation period would be completed at the end of June 2007, that the Draft plan would be prepared during 2008, the finalised plan was scheduled for 2009 and that the implementation period was till 2012. The plan will be reviewed in 2015 and the 6 year process will then recommence.

Each area will have an Area Advice Group and Julia had circulated an invitation through the Forum to some forthcoming consultation events in the Area.

The Forum expressed their concern at the times chosen for the Campbeltown event (4pm – 7pm) which it was felt would exclude a lot of the farming community from attending. The Forum also felt that it was extremely important for the farming community to be made aware of this exercise. Julia undertook to report back to SEPA the Forum’s concerns re the timing of future events and to explore the possibility of issuing individual invitations to relevant parties.

Julia undertook to liaise with Heather regarding e-mail addresses for Forum and to advise Heather of the River Basin Planning website link.

The Forum felt that most of the agricultural members were already using best practice principles and should be encouraged to demonstrate this.

Audrey Martin gave a presentation on the Council’s sustainable design guidance which had been launched in December 06, explaining to the Forum that the role of the guidance is to provide supplementary planning guidance and it is used in the assessment and determination of planning applications for all new housing developments in Argyll and Bute. The aim of the guidance is to ensure that the design and siting of any proposed housing development is appropriate to its particular landscape setting and is sustainable into the future.

Rory Colville advised the Forum that a strategy for a merger with the Highland Business Ring had been concluded and that the merger would take place in June 2007 with the retention of the Argyll and the Isles name A part-time post is due to be advertised shortly.

Angus led a discussion on a letter he had received from the Royal Society of Edinburgh regarding an ”Inquiry into the Future of Scotland’s Hill and Island Areas”
Audrey Martin gave the background to this explaining that the Society had made contact with Argyll and Bute Council.

The Forum agreed that a letter should be sent to the Society asking them to come and speak to the Forum prior to any individual or co-ordinated response being prepared.

Lucy Sumsion updated the Forum regarding the workshops timetable:-

24 & 25 May Woodland Grazing at Invergarry followed by a site visit to the FCS cattle grazing project at Glen Garry.

28 June Organics at Killinochnoch Farm, Mid-Argyll

03 July Islay – venue to be confirmed

12 July Access at Scalpsie Farm, Bute

July –date to be confirmed for Renewables at Ballymeanoch

Bill Dundas reported that due to the changes brought about by the Election in the Scottish Executive and in particular the re-arrangements within the Rural Directorate the Scottish Rural Development Plan had been halted for a review of options.

Alan Minshall introduced his replacement David Brewster to the Forum who is shadowing Alan meantime. A series of workshops are being run by S AC include a
Waste Management Day – date to be confirmed and Grassland Management – 3/7/07.

Sam Kyremah raised the issue of SEPA’s concerns regarding Campbeltown Loch, advising that inspections were to commence soon with the findings being given to SEERAD.

The Forum discussed a number of points asking if N F U Scotland had been made aware of these inspections ? and had SPEA had any direct contact with the local branch of the N F U?

A full discussion followed arising from which the Forum felt, that most of their members have adopted good practice methods and in order to demonstrate this it would be beneficial to all parties if advisory visits were carried out prior to the formal inspections. It was recommended that a meeting take place as a matter of urgency between SEPA and NFU and SAC to discuss further. The possibility of SAC carrying out some more preventative pollution control training was discussed.

Michaela Clelland updated Members on several items:-

The National Waste Strategy 1999 has now been replaced with the National Waste Implementation Plan which can be viewed on their website.

That the impact on Waste Strategy Area Groups following the Election changes was as yet unknown.

The Annual Report is available on the website

Better Waste Regulations consultation events are taking place in Inverness and Lochgilphead on 6 and 7 June and all Forum members have been invited to attend

Angus expressed concern over the current arrangements at Moleigh Waste Disposal Site for obtaining delivery slips. Rory undertook to investigate and report back to the Forum.

23 August 2007 in Oban. Meeting closed 10.20pm


Fergus handed out ???


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DAVID –
HEATHER










ROBERT &
ANGUS

ROBERT,
ANGUS &
FERGUS






AUDREY &
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JULIA




JULIA































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SAM &
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RORY

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