Farmers may be given additional support

Government ‘considering’ helping out

Additional support for Scottish farmers and crofters is being considered by the Scottish Government in the wake of exceptionally bad weather, a lack of fodder and straw and increased livestock losses.

No further detail is known at this stage, but the confirmation that extra assistance may be forthcoming follows a meeting near Stranraer between the farmers’ union and Emma Harper MSP, where NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick called for regular payments to be brought forward and assistance with fallen stock costs to be made available as soon as possible.

A Government spokesman said: “We appreciate the challenges that Scottish farmers and crofters are continuing to face as a result of the poor weather conditions and are currently considering what additional support may be made available.”

Ms Harper was told that many livestock and dairy farmers have been seriously hit by the high fodder costs which were caused by the poor weather last autumn.

These costs were exacerbated by the long, hard winter which continued right to the end of March and is still affecting farmers who are now deep into the lambing and calving season.

Mr McCornick said: “We have heard from our members that many are seeing a steep increase in the amount of fallen stock they are having to pay to be collected.

“This added expense, on top off the loss of income that comes with losing livestock, can be a serious burden financially as well as mentally.”

This added expense ... can be a serious burden financially as well as mentally. ANDREW MCORNICK NFUS PRESIDENT

Picture: Getty Images. The lambing season is under way for many Scottish farmers.