Anger at jump in auction marts' taxes

MASSIVE increases in the business rates of livestock auction markets in Scotland have produced a torrent of anger from the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland.

Examples of the scale of rates increase include the Thainstone Centre in Aberdeenshire which will face a 70 per cent increase of 102,900, Stirling Agricultural Centre with a 52 per cent increase amounting to 33,000 and Newtown St Boswells, which faces a 140 per cent increase costing an additional 40,066.

Speaking at the IAAS annual meeting, President John Gregor, who is also General Manager of Aberdeen & Northern Marts, described the increases as "horrendous".

Making the issue worse is the Westminster government's transitional relief, which will mean the maximum rise south of the Border will be 12.5 per cent.

Gregor said: "These increases will seriously affect our profitability and competitiveness with English marts.

The Scottish Government professes to be a strong supporter of the livestock industry. However, by not reintroducing transitional relief, they are letting the industry down and threatening its very existence."

Gregor said the IAAS would be looking to its members to collectively pursue the issue to the Valuation Appeal Committee or Lands Tribunal.