The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Findings of sheep report accepted
The Scottish Government has said it accepts the findings of a report into the future of the sheep sector – nine months after it was published.
The report, a vision for the future of the Scottish sheep industry, was launched at the end of August.
It outlined 24 recommendations to boost Scotland’s sheep farming sector including calls for a study into the skills gap in the sector and for industry to come together to develop and deliver a sheep-farming modern apprenticeship programme.
The group also called for all farmers and crofters to have access to broadband and mobile connectivity, and for simple tools to be developed for industry to allow businesses to benchmark against each other.
In a belated response to the report, Mr Ewing said that work was under way to deliver on bringing broadband to every farmer and crofter, and continuing to support a significant industry-led research programme.
Meanwhile report author John Scott said an industry steering group had been formed.
The group comprises: National Sheep Association Scottish development officer George Milne; Highland Perthshire farmer Alex Brewster; Farm Stock Scotland chairman Ian Watson; Quality Meat Scotland head of economics services Stuart Ashworth; NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick; and a representative from the Scottish Government. Mr Scott is the chairman of the group.