YOUNGSTERS’ NEW ZEALAND MISSION
Nineteen Scottish Young Farmers are off to New Zealand this weekend on a two-week agricultural tour which will focus on how subsidy reforms affected the agricultural sector.
The study tour will also look at how farming businesses are modelled to allow young people to get a start in the industry – and view the arrangements which sees the average age of farmers stand well below that of Scotland and other European states.
The group received a £20,000 grant from the Cameron Travel Trust to help with the travel costs.
Trust chairman, John Cameron of Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, said: “The Trust was delighted to help these young farmers arrange this trip. I remember how much I enjoyed visiting different countries to see their particular systems of farming and of course agriculture is New Zealand’s principal industry.”
Cameron said that costs of production were considerably lower than in the EU and that the group would gain long-lasting benefits from seeing a different system of production.
On their return the group will give a presentation of their trip to the Trustees and to invited members of the agricultural industry. l As well as giving financial assistance to groups like the Young Farmers, the Cameron Trust also helps individuals or smaller groups of young people who wish to further their experiences and education through overseas travel. Applications should be made through David Walker of Thomson Cooper, Accountants, Dunfermline.