- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria were for participating in the Bull Hire Scheme in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03, (d) 2003-04, (e) 2004-05, (f) 2005-06, (g) 2006-07 and (h) 2007-08.
Answer
Individual crofters are not eligible to participate in the subsidised bull hire arrangements operated by the Crofters Commission. In the years in question, eligibility was normally confined to groups representing at least three cow owners. These requirements were designed to prevent the possibility that a group might be formed to support a single business/enterprise.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation has been made of farming incomes for bull producers following withdrawal of the Bull Hire Scheme.
Answer
No such evaluation has been carried out in respect of the withdrawal of the Bull Hire Scheme.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what the market value is of Crofters Commission farms.
Answer
The Crofters Commission manages three farms in the Inverness area on behalf of Scottish ministers: Beechwood, Knocknagael and Balrobert.
An agreement to sale has been entered into with Highlands and Islands Enterprise in respect of Beechwood, an agricultural unit totalling approximately 214.3 acres, for £3.15 million.
Knocknagael and Balrobert were collectively valued, as at 31 March 2007, at £2.7 million. No decisions have been taken on the future use or disposal of Knocknagael and Balrobert.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will create new crofts on Crofters Commission farms when the Bull Hire Scheme has ended.
Answer
This will be one of the options to be considered when the future of the farms is appraised by Scottish ministers.
The Scottish Public Finance Manual offers guidance on the factors to be taken into account when ministers consider the future use or disposal of land. Details may be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/spfm/disposalassets/disposalassetsannex.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how many bulls were replaced during a hire period under the Bull Hire Scheme in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03, (d) 2003-04, (e) 2004-05, (f) 2005-06, (g) 2006-07 and (h) 2007-08.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally. The Bull Hire Scheme is administered on behalf of Scottish ministers by the Crofters Commission and I have asked the Chief Executive of the Crofters Commission to respond to you directly with the information you have requested.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it can provide to crofters who do not have internet access to enable them to access the HI health planning scheme for livestock.
Answer
HI health is an industry-led commercial initiative providing livestock health planning support to individual producers. We understand that its services can be accessed by both internet and paper-based correspondence.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the HI health planning scheme for livestock is important to cattle production.
Answer
HI health is an industry-led commercial initiative providing livestock health planning support to individual producers. The Scottish Government recognises the value that such a proactive approach makes to supporting good levels of animal health and welfare and its contribution to farm business profitability.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what costs are associated with the HI health planning scheme for livestock.
Answer
HI health is a commercial enterprise and is not financially supported by the Scottish Government.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers are the benefits to producers of the HI health planning scheme for livestock.
Answer
Livestock health planning support provided by organisations such as HI health and individual veterinary practices is an important aid in assessing emerging on-farm animal health and welfare issues and identifying appropriate actions to deal with them. Such a proactive approach supports good animal health and welfare standards and will contribute to farm business profitability.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it provides to crofters to enable them to join the HI health planning scheme for livestock.
Answer
HI health is one of a number of commercial providers of livestock health planning support. Those people who have signed up to the Animal Health and Welfare Management Programme, an option in the Land Management Contract Menu Scheme under the Scotland Rural Development Programme, are able to receive support towards some of the costs that are associated with proactive livestock health planning.
