Dave Thompson MSP

£3 million to support farmers affected by recent heavy snows

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has welcomed the announcement from Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, that a package of help is being offered to Scotland’s farmers who have been hit by the recent bad weather.

This package of help includes:

• £3 million to off-set additional costs to farmers forced to move livestock following the collapse of buildings during the recent severe weather
• £250,000 to educate schoolchildren across Scotland on the link between farming and the food on their plates
• more than £1.4 million for land based skills development and training, and
• almost £400,000 for a five year development programme to boost the #12 million raspberry industry

In addition, £15 million will be brought forward from the Scotland Rural Development Programme business development budget to allow more farmers to invest in their farms now.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said: "Farmers play a vital role in our society, as they have the potential to not only feed the nation, but also to power the economy and improve the environment.

"It is clear that many farmers have been struggling to meet the unexpected costs of the harsh winter. The high levels of snow and ice saw many buildings damaged. Many farmers were not sufficiently insured for this and the cost has hit them hard. This package of help is vital to farmers who have been hit by the recent bad weather conditions and will ensure that these farms can continue to provide for the nation.

"It is particularly welcome here in the Highlands, where there are many rural farms and communities which depend on local farms. Many of these farms were hit particularly hard during the winter, where temperatures dropped to below -10 degrees regularly.

"I am glad to see that Richard Lochhead has listened to the needs of the farming communities and has provided help for farms in a time of need."