2008 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme Consultation Response

THE LESS FAVOURED AREA SUPPORT SCHEME IN SCOTLAND 2010-2013 CONSULTATION

The Hill and Island areas of Argyll have experienced a massive decline in livestock numbers in the past seven years.  There has been a 30% drop in breeding ewe numbers since 2001.  Declines are similar across the Highland and Islands area of Scotland and are now close to a stage where the critical mass of sheep to sustain the necessary infrastructure could be lost.  The publication of four different reports in 2008 has been largely prompted by this decline: Future of Scotland’s Hills and Islands, Manifesto for the Hills, Farming’s Retreat from the Hills and Beyond the CAP: Towards a sustainable land use policy that works for Scotland. These highlight the consequences that the changes to the Common Agricultural policy has had on Scotland and make recommendations on the need for action now on increased support to hill and island areas and for greater integration in land use policy.

The Argyll and Bute Agricultural Forum is working with a group of farmers to tackle issues at an Argyll level.  They have set up the Argyll Hill Lamb Producers Working Group and are undertaking lamb finishing and marketing trials.  However this activity is not enough to bring a halt to the very real decline that is currently happening.  The decline in sheep numbers combined with an ageing workforce is the combination that could lead to a loss of the critical mass to sustain the necessary infrastructure before 2014. This current decline is not just a blip on a graph but a real concern.

The Argyll and Bute Agricultural Forum has engaged with many other areas within the Highlands and Islands who are of a similar view:

·         A major change in LFASS is needed now and cannot wait till 2013

·         The Scottish Government should pursue immediately the potential for designation of areas in the Highlands and Islands as ‘mountain areas’ or areas of ‘specific handicap’

·        Eligibility to receive LFASS payment must be linked to continued meaningful agricultural activity on the unit

·        Progression towards an area based payment, away from the historic model, should begin now

High nature value farming systems must be recognised and rewarded.

9 January 2009