8 May 2009

1 minute read

Europe

Nine members with expertise ranging from land management to rural economics have been appointed. They will support chair Sarah Allen in determining what arrangements will best enable crofters to work together to keep quality cattle of high health status in remote rural Scotland.

Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham said:

"Crofting has supported and sustained rural communities for generations. We need to look again at how best to help those communities continue to keep cattle in the Highlands and Islands.

"I am delighted that we have been able to establish a group that can draw on its members' wide knowledge of all aspects of livestock production in remote communities and the issues affecting them."

The Committee of Inquiry on Crofting, an independent committee chaired by Professor Mark Shucksmith, recommended that support for Bull Hire should change.

The Scottish Government had proposed in its response new arrangements designed to facilitate private bull hire and to support community ownership in remote areas where the costs of transport or overwintering might otherwise prove prohibitive for crofting communities.

The Group will look at the objectives of a bull scheme and identify practical and affordable options for maintaining quality livestock in crofting areas. The Group is expected to report to Ministers by November 2009.

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