Hard winter shows need for aid

Crofter and MP Ian Blackford said the tough winter has highlighted why crofters need more support post-Brexit.

He said the number of sheep farmers on Skye has halved over the last 17 years due to “very challenging” economics.

Poor lamb prices, a long and difficult winter and additional feeding costs due to a wet and cold spring keeping animals indoors have all added up to make crofting a precarious business, said Mr Blackford.

“There have been calls for the government to look favourably at the pressures people are under and I would encourage a welcoming ear,” he said.

“We want to make sure we’ve got a way of life that’s a livelihood to keep future generations in work.”

One of the issues is tension between payments for crofting and for keeping land empty, which can be far higher.

“Whether within the current structures or post-Brexit we need to look again at support for active farmers and crofters,” said Mr Blackford.

The MP called on UK Farming Minister Michael Gove to commit to matching EU funding post-Brexit, which he has so far only done to the end of 2022.

Scottish Government agency the Crofting Commission has launched a review of the croft support funding system this month, due to report back in June.

Commission convener Rod Mackenzie said: “We are aware of how important agriculture support is for the future of crofting.”

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs declined to comment.

Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing said he was continuing to consult and would review the potential for new laws. He said: “This government is determined not to allow crofting to be simply a relic of our past.”