Farming in Orkney
MSP not satisfied by animal health surveillance answers
20/11/2009 08:50:00
REPLIES to parliamentary questions have failed to reassure Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur, that the Scottish Government is doing enough to ensure that the Scottish Agricultural College, (SAC), is providing the animal disease surveillance service it is paid to provide across Scotland.
Marketing levies set to rise for livestock
20/11/2009 08:48:00
Quality Meat Scotland recently held a meeting in Orkney regarding an increase in the livestock levies. They want to raise the levy for cattle from £4.57 to £5.50 a head, on sheep from 67p to 80p, and on pigs from £1.05 to £1.26.
Incline reason for remedial visit
20/11/2009 08:47:00
A SITE visit was due to take place this week to discuss the problems with the lairage facility at Hatston.
Rising number of geese to be discussed
20/11/2009 08:46:00
The increasing number of greylag geese is being addressed at a meeting at Rennibister Farm, St Ola today, Thursday.
In recent years the problem has grown considerably and some claim that the numbers have increased by 1000% over the last three years. The geese are damaging and eating the crops. Sometimes the damage forces the farmers to reseed in some fields and it has delayed the cattle being able to graze in others.
Opposition grows to livestock transport changes
20/03/2009 10:23:00
Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur, has been assured that the Scottish Government will oppose changes to the EU Livestock Transport Regulations which could damage the interests of Orkney farmers and crofters.
McArthur welcomes the opportunity to block plans for compulsory sheep EID
20/03/2009 10:23:00
Following news that the Hungarian Government has tabled a proposal to be put to the European Council of Agricultural ministers next week, which calls for the abandonment of the proposal for compulsory electronic identification (EID) of sheep, Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur has written to Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, supporting the move. He has sought assurances that 'working with the UK Government, the Scottish Government will get fully behind the proposal and will work hard to help the Hungarian Government to build majority support for their proposal'.
NorthLink's successful bid to win over auctioneers
20/03/2009 10:19:00
Auctioneers and appraisers from all over Scotland were hosted by NorthLink Ferries in Aberdeen recently when around 70 members of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland viewed NorthLink's new livestock containers and the upgraded lairage facilities at the north-east harbour.<br>
Kenny Johnston wins trophy outright in Orphir
20/03/2009 10:17:00
ORPHIR ploughing match was held on Saturday (March 14) at Groundwater in Orphir by kind permission of James W Slater.
Call for supermarket ombudsman
20/02/2009 10:46:00
ORKNEY and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael this week gave his backing to the National Farmers Union's call for a supermarket ombudsman to be established in 2009.
Farmers encouraged to attend ferry review seminars
20/02/2009 10:46:00
NFU Scotland is encouraging all its members who rely on ferry services throughout northern and western Scotland to attend Scottish Government seminars on the Scottish Ferries Review.