FIGHT FOR ORKNEY CROFTERS' ACCESS TO BULL HIRE SCHEME CONTINUES

17 January 2009

North Labour MSPs have made clear they are not giving up the fight to keep the successful and important Bull Hire Scheme Orkney crofters currently enjoy.

The MSPs made this clear following what they described as the "deeply disappointing and misguided" response by the Scottish Government to the debate on the bull hire scheme held in Parliament on Thursday night.

The debate secured all party support for a bull hire scheme to continue and also revealed strong support for the scheme from cattle producer organisations, the RSPB, NFUS and Crofting Foundation, among others.

Speaking after the debate, North Labour MSP and Labour spokesperson in rural affairs , Rhoda Grant, said:

"The debate was excellent and set out all the positive benefits of the bull hire scheme and why it is in everyone's interests that it continue.

"It was the Scottish Government's response that was deeply disappointing and misguided.

"The Minister claimed that bull hire scheme didn't work, but that is simply not the evidence of all the crofters and others involved.

"For them it is a vital part of their ability to keep crofting and for our rural economy and environment it also plays a very important role.

"The Minister was given the chance to respond to crofters concerns and he has chosen not to."

The Labour MSPs have now tabled a series of further questions to the Scottish Government to "pick apart" the assertions the government has made over funding and the costs of the scheme.

Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock, said:

"The Minister was forced to concede in the debate that the scheme could continue under current State Aid rules, contradicting previous statements from his office that it couldn't.

"We knew that was the case and I am pleased we now have that concession.

"However, the Minister said the scheme was bound to cost more.

"But his figures are based on assumptions that do not hold true.

"There would be little difference in cost between this year and the coming year, or indeed the year after that.

"Keeping the scheme going while further work is done to reduce costs and re-evaluate investment needs and options is entirely within the gift of the Scottish Government and would be welcomed throughout the Highlands and Islands.

"By getting that right we can stave off any future threat from State Aids.

"The questions I have tabled seek to get behind the cost projections used, so crofters can see the results and make up their own mind what is going on.

"It is certainly not to do with State Aids or short term costs, or the success of the scheme."

Rhoda Grant concluded:

"Time is getting short before crofters have to make decision about what to do this year, but we are not finished asking searching questions and exposing the weakness of the government's arguments.

"Orkney crofters deserve our support, and they will continue to get it."

Parliamentary questions tabled :

To Ask the Scottish Executive (TASE) further to the answer to S3W 17640 which of the investments scenarios referred to are proceeding within the current financial year or are committed for expenditure in the coming financial year.

TASE what are the agricultural or research uses each of the farms are involved in which are under the management of the crofters commission in and around Inverness.

TASE in calculating the costs of the bull hire scheme what overheads and at what value are allocated to those costs from the administration of the Crofters Commission.

TASE what accounting capital charges are associated with the operation of the three farms under the management of the crofters commission in and around Inverness and whether such capital charges are taken into account in calculating the costs associated with the bull hire scheme and estimates of the costs of renting a bull.

TASE whether depreciation and at what value is associated with the accounting for the costs of operating the three farms under the management of the crofters commission in and around Inverness.

TASE what management or efficiency studies it or the Crofters Commission has undertaken into the potential for reducing the costs of the bull hire scheme and whether it will publish any such studies.

TASE whether when purchasing bulls for use in the bull hire scheme any consideration was given to the quality of the bloodline of the bulls purchased.

TASE what control it has over the quality of the bloodline of bulls in the ownership of private enterprises offering bulls for hire.

TASE what arrangements it has put in place for crofters to obtain a bull from the crofters commission at less than market rates in 2009, whether such arrangements are compliant with State Aids, whether such arrangements include help with the cost of the purchase price of a bull and whether they will publish details of the arrangements put in place.

TASE when crofters will be told of the detailed arrangements for obtaining a bull from the crofters commission in 2009.

TASE further to the answer to S3W17658 whether crofters will able to receive funding on more than one occasion in any one financial year toward the cost of transport of a bull to service cattle for which transport costs had already been received in respect of another bull.

You can share this news release with others on social networking sites , or post it to your online profile, or send it to a friend, by clicking on the "Share This" link immediately below.