Union calls for decision over future of bull hire

THE National Farmers Union of Scotland came out yesterday to express their disappointment over delays in announcing the future of the Crofting Bull Hire scheme.

Vice-president Nigel Miller said it was disappointing no decision had been taken prior to this week's Perth bull sales in Stirling.

Traditionally, the Crofters Commission, which ran the scheme, would buy bulls at Perth and often take up to 30 bulls back to the stud farm at Inverness, from where they would be hired out.

But, cabinet secretary Richard Lochhead was taken aback on Monday when asked, during a visit to the sales, when an announcement on the future of the scheme would be made.

This was a matter for his government colleague, environment minister Roseanna Cunningham, he said. She had promised a decision would be issued early in 2010 but nothing has yet emerged, although Miller reckoned "an announcement is imminent and may come as early as next week".

The bull hire scheme, which is intended to improve the quality of calves from crofting areas, has been under threat since 2004, when the then minister, Ross Finnie, expressed concerns over it breaking EU competition rules.

In opposition at that time, the SNP called for the scrapping of the scheme, but, in government, they ran into political hot water on the issue and set up a review group to put forward views. This recommendation went to government in November last year.

Miller said the union saw merit in the scheme, because it allowed crofters with small numbers of breeding cows affordable access to high-quality bulls.

"It has resulted in clear and significant improvements to stock quality in crofting areas. We believe that a successor scheme could continue to provide high-quality bulls to crofts and crofting townships at a viable cost."

He pointed out the importance of timing, as the hiring normally started in late spring, so a clear decision was needed as soon as possible.

"It will be a major blow to crofters if the scheme is to be withdrawn as they will then need to source breeding bulls at the current round of sales," Miller said. "Early notice is vital if they are to plan ahead."