Hill Farm Decline

Thank you Presiding Officer.

I welcome the chance to speak in today's debate on a subject close to my heart both as a hill farmer in the Borders and a past Director with the NFUS, which of course I declare an interest in.

We do have opportunities for agriculture - in particular to capitalise on the quality of meat produced by Scottish farmers; the fact that Scottish meat is produced naturally to the highest standards, again with the highest animal welfare.-~That brings economic benefits to rural communities, Scotland's biodiversity, and the reliance of rural communities on agriculture directly and indirectly . The so called multiplier effect.

But there are challenges as we know, and having government support tied in with economic activity on the ground has a crucial role to play in providing a viable future for hill farms up and down the country especially because, as we all know, between 83 and 85% of Scotland is designated as disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged. The vast majority - of the South of Scotland is less favoured and have already seen dramatic changes in landscape as a result of stock being removed from the hills as has the rest of Scotland. Tavish Scott and I recently met with the farmers in Stow and discussed the effects of the decline in detail. But there is corroboration from other sources-unbiased respected sources.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish Agricultural Colleges, the Crofting report and the NFUS's Manifesto for the Hills are categorical in their conclusions - which is that sheep and cattle numbers on Scottish hills are in decline. Since 1998 we have seen a 23-25% decline in the national sheep flock and nearly 11-12% reduction in the beef breeding herd. The trend is clear. And those stock reductions will also correlate with less people working in these communities. We need grazing on the hills - or we will not have any wild mountain thyme growing in our blooming heather - RSPB also do agree with this. People are needed in these remote areas working - economically active - so that we can maintain and enhance the biodiversity that our Hills and Islands are famous for. - Something I have stated often in this chamber

We need to ensure the immediate future of existing flocks and herds and in the longer term we need to provide a base from which numbers can be increased and the industry kept profitable. The most serious threat this year, apart from the weather (which is a reserved matter) has been the 3 Fs - food, fuel and fertiliser - all linked to the oil prices. We have Excellent food produced in an excellent environment by excellent people lets keep it that way.

We are happy to support the Labour amendment, Local food procurement is a subject I've championed since becoming an MSP and I believe that there are concerns out there regarding the RDP being needed to be streamlined. The only thing is that I wish that the Labour's colleagues in Westminster would be as concerned for Rural Scotland.

But the Liberal Democrat amendment today which seeks to bring forward an early payment of LFASS is sensible and I would join my colleague Liam MacArthur in encouraging cross party support for a measure which has been long called for and within the powers of this government. If this government was serious about helping the fragile farming areas, then it would put the resources in to get the LFASS payments out by the end of October, that would have no effect on the SFP going out in December - there seems a lack of willing.

The Tories are right to criticise the Westminster Labour Govt. in their amendment, Alistair Darling stating that they want to end CAP in 2013, is at best unhelpful when so many organisations like the RSE, state how important CAP is. But the Tories missed a chance today to actually use their amendment to make this govt. act, after all they do have the devolved powers to do so. But we will support the Tory amendment as we believe that CAP will be needed in Scotland and the UK long past 2013.

We need to make the job attractive to new entrants and we need to do this by making the future of the hill farming sector viable.

I therefore look to the SG to do all it can to reverse the decline, and state how?

And I look to the minister to address the specifics of the NFUS' Manifesto for the Hills - further investment in the Beef Calf Scheme and easier access for all to rural development measures and how it will address the findings of the RSE's Report on the future of Scotland's Hills and Islands.

Presiding Officer,

The Scottish Government presides over a hugely significant turning point in the future of hill farming in Scotland. I call upon the Govt to work to reversing the trend towards another "clearances", and support agriculture in its most fragile regions.

I look to the cabinet secretary to demonstrate his government's commitment to the Scottish livestock sector by confirming today that he will bring forward LFASS payments, a measure endorsed by many as a way to relieve the current cash flow difficulties experienced and a commitment from this govt to work towards a sustainable rural economy for the future. Our quality environment needs its quality people producing quality food for a quality Scotland.

Thank you.