ARGYLL AGRICULTURAL FORUM CREATES NEW POST

[hoots the scoop]

From the ABC website

ARGYLL AGRICULTURAL FORUM CREATES NEW POST
Mon, 09 Jan 2006 15:28:45
Argyll and Bute Agriculture Forum is pressing forward with its bid to help local farmers and crofters remain competitive at a time of significant change in the industry by recruiting a development manager to deliver the Argyll and the Islands Agricultural Strategy.

The move follows the publication by the Forum of the strategy and action plan for the future of farming and crofting, developed by the Scottish Agricultural College in close co-operation with people active in the industry in all parts of the area.

Forum chairman Angus MacFadyen said, “Changes brought on by the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy are already affecting farmers and crofters in Argyll and Bute. Our priority since publication of the strategy has been to recruit a manager with experience in agriculture or rural development to take forward the actions identified. We are pleased to have put together a funding package in a very short time and can begin the process of filling the post.”

Argyll and Bute Agriculture Forum was set up to raise awareness of agricultural issues in the area. One of the first issues identified was the change of farming emphasis from production to care of the environment following reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). In livestock producing areas like Argyll and Bute any drop in production would affect both the health of the industry and the economy of the area.

Angus MacFadyen said, “Fewer animals will eventually mean fewer people in agriculture unless we can get a better return for our product. We need to re-focus our industry to provide the products and services that are in demand in the 21st century market. That’s why we need a strategy and a development manager to implement it.”

As well as helping farmers find ways to add value to their product and investigate new sources of income, the strategy includes measures to assist them find the information and advice they need to reduce costs and make the best use of government or European funded schemes.

Councillor Macaskill, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said "It is a key objective of the Council's corporate strategy to bring added value to the local economy through diversification in the agricultural industry. The appointment of this officer is a major step forward in securing this and we will continue to work with the Forum in identifying suitable opportunities for the industry.”

Recognising the particular difficulties of remoteness for island and some mainland communities in Argyll and Bute the strategy has a longer term objective of ensuring that the infrastructure of the area is improved in a way that benefits the agricultural industry.

SAC’s Campbeltown based senior agricultural consultant, Alan Minshaw said, “SAC is committed to supporting agriculture and rural development in Argyll. Basing the rural development manager in our office will help us provide this support and the person in post will benefit from the back up of SAC’s resources.”
The new post is funded by Argyll and Bute Council, NFUS, SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland, SEERAD, AIE and the European WHELK Leader+ Programme. The post is being facilitated by SAC and will be based in their Campbeltown office, although more flexible working arrangements may be possible for a suitable applicant elsewhere in Argyll. Full details are available on the SAC website at www.sac.ac.uk

For further information contact

Angus MacFadyen Chairman of the Forum
Tel. 01852 316220 Email angusmacfadyen@ukgateway.net
Alan Minshaw SAC Campbeltown
Tel 01586 552502 Email aocampbeltown@sac.co.uk