Farming: Working to build support for new blood in the industry

By ANDREW ARBUCKLE
Published on 13/09/2012 00:00

THE focus turned to getting new entrants into farming yesterday with the announcement by the Forestry Commission they were letting another three “starter units” on their land.

Then the Scottish Government, in fulfilling one of its election pledges, announced the setting up of an expert panel to advise on how more new-entrant farmers could be supported to take up farming.

And NFU Scotland called for fresh thinking to help support the necessary progression of new entrants into the farming sector, union boss Nigel Miller admitting that access to land remained a priority issue but other options – such as share farming which is practiced extensively in New Zealand – might provide part of the solution.

The next tranche of “starter units” for which new entrants to farming can apply include Falgunzeon in Dumfriesshire, Upper Tullochbeg in Aberdeenshire and Carserigg, also in Dumfriesshire. The first two are 50-hectare livestock units complete with renovated farmhouses and steading whereas the other unit is of mixed in-bye land with some livestock buildings but no farmhouse. All three are for a ten-year long duration tenancy.

Earlier this year, the first two units, both in Fife, were handed over to new entrants and rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said he had seen for himself the enthusiasm and professionalism of the first two new farmers on the programme.

He added that the Forestry Commission expected to be in the position to unveil three more farms in next spring.

Announcing new entrants advisory panel, which met for the first time yesterday under the chairmanship of David Barnes, the head of agriculture with the Scottish Government, Lochhead said the key focus would be on support arrangements for new entrants in Scotland.