SOUTH OF SCOTLAND AUCTION MARKETS FACING DIFFICULT RATES INCREASES (Jim Hume)

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND AUCTION MARKETS FACING DIFFICULT RATES INCREASES

March 19, 2010 1:20 PM

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has echoed the concerns of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) that rates increases for 2010/11 will pose severe difficulties for auction marts across the South of Scotland.

Mr Hume said:

"Auction marts form an integral part of the agricultural and farming sector across the region. Many are already coping with reduced livestock numbers and this increase in rates will be difficult to absorb.

"It's therefore worrying that Scottish marts will incur the full cost of the increase immediately since the Scottish Government decided no transitional relief should apply in Scotland compared with marts in England, which will only have to pay a maximum increase of 12.5% due to a relief scheme.

"The Scottish Government needs to urgently review its decision and come up with a transitional scheme, one which will allow businesses to phase in the increases over a period of time and one which will stop Scottish businesses from being put at a competitive disadvantage to those across the border."