Scots sheep farmers to get aid

SCOTTISH sheep farmers who lost more animals than normal because of the bad winter, and who organised the disposal of them via the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo), are now to benefit from the Scottish Government's £200,000 emergency aid fund.

This fund was announced in April by Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, following talks with NFSCo, NFU Scotland, the National Sheep Association (Scotland) and Scottish Government. It is estimated that industry costs for the uplift of dead sheep increased by over 40 per cent in 2010, compared to 2009.

Farmers will not have to make a claim as NFSCo administrators will review the number of fallen sheep collections from all Scottish farmers between 1 January and 30 April, and will pay out the 200,000 between all involved. The members will receive this support later this month.

"The delivery of the compensation to farmers is a great example of organisations working together to present a case for compensation, to get agreement on it quickly from government, and to find a quick, cheap and non-bureaucratic way of delivering the money to farmers," says NFSCo Scottish director Ian Duncan Millar.

"Losses from many farms were severe, and I pay tribute to the Scottish Government for helping out in this way. I would also like to thank the collectors for the prompt and professional collection service that they offered through the winter, especially in light of the difficulties there were in just trying to get around."