Confidence on the up but SFP remains a concern

Figures released yesterday show there is an increased level of optimism among Scottish beef producers, but this is tempered with a degree of nervousness over the future of the single farm payment scheme.

Quality Meat Scotland market analyst Stuart Ashworth described the findings of a survey carried out with producers right across Scotland in September and October as highlighting the more positive attitudes within the industry.

Compared with an identical survey carried out in 2008, the confidence level has risen from 27 per cent to 35 per cent. For Ashworth, the more telling figure was the reduction in those who had no confidence in the future. Three years ago, almost one in three producers placed themselves in that category, but this has dropped to 7 per cent.

Worry over changes to the SFP was by far the biggest reason given for not investing in the future; well ahead of worries on increases in input costs and animal health concerns.

For those looking to invest, the top priority was in improving grassland – which, somewhat surprisingly, rated four times more highly than investing in performance recorded stock.