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Scottish Crofting Federation THE CROFTER rooted in our communities SCF is the only organisation solely dedicated to campaigning for crofters and fighting for the future of crofting APRIL 2019 Number 117 A right to a living ARLIER THIS YEAR, SCF carried out as lifting our sometimes-jaded spirits. And it is The on-line survey had over 250 replies and a survey into the effects of wildlife on possible to produce good quality food in co- the results confirmed the scale of the problem. Ecrofting, in response to a growing body existence with wildlife. 30% of respondents reported significant effects of anecdotal evidence from our members But crofters also have a right to make a living of deer on their land – through eating grass, about damage caused by, especially, deer, and the loss of stock and grazing can significantly fodder put out for sheep and cattle, eating trees geese and sea eagles. affect this – as our survey shows. If crofting isn’t and causing damage. Fencing can work but is a There is a balance to be struck here. economically viable then it will cease; and the drift big expense. A number of respondents replied Crofters are not against wildlife. Indeed the away from the glens and islands will accelerate. resignedly “not yet”. environmentally sensitive agricultural systems In addition, the stock we keep have rights too Predation by reintroduced sea eagles operated by crofters have meant wildlife has – the code of recommendations for the welfare significantly affects 16% of respondents. Loss survived in the Highlands and Islands whereas of livestock talks about the five freedoms, which of lambs is the main problem but there are also it has disappeared in more intensively farmed include freedom from pain and injury and freedom reports of hoggs and ewes being hunted and areas. But deer have to be managed, geese from fear and distress. Crofters do adjust their killed and poultry being taken. One respondent controlled, species not introduced without due practices to mitigate the effects – lambing on in- reported attacks on a weekly basis in the summer. consideration. bye rather than on the hill, caging poultry – but Others have cut back on use of hill ground A flourishing natural environment can bring there are limits to what can be achieved by pro- because of losses. tourism and income to crofting areas as well active management. ...Continued on page 3 SCF chair meets with cabinet secretary VONNE WHITE, chair of the SCF, recently met cabinet secretary for Yrural economy Fergus Ewing to discuss crofting issues and ask what the Scottish Government (SG) will do to ensure the future of crofting. Points raised included: LFASS and the recent announcement that next year would see a cut to 80% of the current rate with a further cut to 40% the following year. Yvonne made it clear that LFASS payments are vital for crofters, who face natural constraints such as poor-quality land and topographical challenges. The prospect of this support being drastically cut is unthinkable. It would put many crofters and sheep stock clubs out of business. Mr Ewing said that SG is committed to keeping LFASS at 100%. Officials are looking for a workaround. An option under consideration is top-slicing the Basic Payment Scheme so top recipients are paid slightly less in order to redistribute to LFAs. Geese Yvonne emphasised concern over the lack of financial support from SNH for goose management, and the damage caused by wild geese to grazing and crops in the Western Isles. Population control does not cost much yet funding is being withdrawn. Including goose management in an agri-environment scheme was considered, should direct funding not be possible. Redistribution of the existing Yvonne White and cabinet secretary for rural economy, Fergus Ewing ...Continued on page 3 INSIDE • message from our new chair • animal health and welfare • training THIS • economic conditions of crofting • sea eagles … and lots more ISSUE • affordable housing on croft land • genetics 2 THE CROFTER, APRIL 2019 Message from the chair... Yvonne White ELCOME TO the new edition of The and predation, which can result in significant that the Scottish Government is committed to Crofter and my first message as your economic loss and impacting livestock welfare. maintaining LFASS at 100% until at least 2022. Wnew chair. It is a busy and expensive time of year. Spring That said, it is doubtful if additional funding I would like to thank my predecessor, Russell calves being born, lambing on the horizon will become available, so this welcome public Smith, for all his excellent work and commitment. (although some of you may have started indoor commitment will likely be delivered by a re- It is a challenging time for crofting and agriculture lambing, either due to forward planning or maybe distribution of the existing agriculture support generally, not least due to Brexit, and therefore due to a tup called Houdini) and the price of feed budget. It was also proposed that additional a challenging time to be taking on this role. and hay just keeps going up and up. Longer funding be found to help address the geese issue However, I aim to carry out the responsibilities and daylight hours are becoming noticeable, which is in the Outer Hebrides. This may be by using the duties of chair as effectively and professionally welcome as it means more can be done outdoors AECS budget. as possible on behalf of members and hopefully – weather permitting. Crofting is the bedrock of the Highlands follow on in the good work achieved by previous As well as our thoughts turning to lambing and and Islands and is of crucial importance both chairs. A daunting task! calving, this year minds are also turned to Brexit culturally and economically. Crofters are tied to Against all the uncertainties we are faced and what effect it will have when taking our lambs the land and responsible for the landscape. In due with, there is one aspect standing firm and that and calves to market later in the year. At present course we pass our crofts on to our nearest and is the unswerving commitment and dedication to there is no clarity whatsoever from Westminster. dearest family. Crofts are much sought after and crofting of SCF’s board of directors, council and It has been well documented that any tariffs crofters try to keep them in the family if possible. staff. Board and council members are all active introduced on lamb exported to Europe will lead to Therefore crofting retains a local population pool, crofters, with crofts located throughout the huge significant financial issues for the sustainability of helping keep schools, shops and even the Gaelic geographic area of the crofting counties. This Highlands and Islands sheep flocks. The potential language alive, in addition to skills such as livestock geographic spread is of crucial value in informing threat of tariffs on lambs for export combined with management and sheep dog training. Take crofting our approach to formulating policy, as each area the threatened reduction in LFASS is obviously of away and you are left mainly with tourism, retirees has its own specific issues in addition to the great concern. Indeed you could argue that Brexit and some fish farming on the coasts. generic issues facing us all. Therefore we have threatens the future of crofting in a way not seen Unless the market is prepared to pay the an impressive and significant pool of expertise before by this generation. true cost of livestock production, government and knowledge to draw upon covering all aspects Some good news: at a recent meeting with the support is required in order that crofting and of crofting, whether it be crofting law, agriculture cabinet secretary for the rural economy, Fergus local communities thrive. An appropriate level of schemes and regulation or issues such as geese Ewing, and his senior officials, it was re-affirmed support is necessary to recognise and maintain the broad spectrum of benefits delivered by crofting on behalf of the public. For example, as well as economic and social benefits, high-quality food and livestock Women in crofting production and cultural value, there is biodiversity, N THE LAST issue of The Crofter we helpful. In fact, following the article several environmental and nature conservation talked about the Women in Agriculture more people have been in touch expressing associated with actively managing common Iinitiative and asked if a Women in Crofting an interest, so we certainly have enough to grazings and the low-intensity system crofting group be appropriate: is it something start down the road to making it happen. A employs. Not least, there is health, not only women crofters would want? gathering will be arranged soon. We hoped to of livestock or crops grown but of crofters It could be an opportunity to meet other have it organised by now but we want one of themselves. Not many crofters suffer ailments women crofters and to share ideas, experience, the researchers of the original report to come associated with desk-bound jobs. Crofters tend skills. It could provide a context for training or and speak and there has been a delay for to keep going long after most people have retired events. It could provide a collective voice. personal reasons. and settled into watching daytime TV. This is something that a bit of asking around However, it will happen soon and there will In summary, now is a challenging period for has made us think is wanted and could be be notification via usual channels. crofting. SCF is dedicated to fighting on your behalf, whatever the issues effecting crofting.

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