Latest news with #NFUScotland
STV News
02-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Scottish farmers warned of new cross-border bluetongue virus restrictions
Scottish farmers have been warned of new cross-border bluetongue virus restrictions for livestock travelling up from England. From July 1, any farmer wishing to move cattle and sheep from England into Scotland must now apply for a movement licence from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). It's part of the new UK Government rules to control the spread of the bluetongue virus among livestock, and the National Farmers Union of Scotland has made clear that the measures will have 'significant consequences' for Scottish producers and farmers. The union said Scottish producers who regularly market stock at English sales may now face 'costly and complex return protocols'. Bluetongue is a virus spread by biting midges which impacts livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats. One of the key symptoms of the disease is a blue, swollen tongue, and concerns are growing as the summer months approach. It can also affect deer and llamas, but humans and food safety are not at risk. In rare cases, dogs can catch bluetongue if they eat infected material, such as the placenta or other birthing tissue of an animal with the disease. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced the restricted zone for bluetongue has been extended to cover all of England. Farmers and producers will now need a movement licence issued by APHA to move animals to Scotland, which confirms the animals have: a valid pre-movement test, or vaccination with the Boehringer Bultavo-3 vaccine (for cattle only). Sheep cannot move to Scotland without a negative BTV-3 pre-movement test from the National Reference Laboratory (Pirbright), even if they're vaccinated. 'Vaccination remains a vital tool in protecting animal health,' NFU Scotland animal health and welfare policy manager Penny Middleton explained. 'All available vaccines provide effective protection against the symptoms of BTV-3, but manufacturers are currently unable to demonstrate that any vaccine prevents transmission of BTV-3 in sheep. 'For that reason,the Scottish Government will continue to require pre-movement testing of all sheep moving into Scotland, regardless of vaccination status.' NFU Scotland has made clear that these measures will have 'significant consequences' for cross-border trade, but the union has consistently opposed Scotland joining the BTV-3 Restricted Zone, citing the need to maintain strong disease prevention measures. NFU Scotland has promised to keep its position under review with members as the situation progresses. Further updates, guidance and frequently asked questions on the bluetongue virus have been made available on the NFU Scotland website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Vaccinate to tackle fatal animal virus, says Scotland's chief vet
Scotland's chief veterinary officer is urging farmers to vaccinate livestock against the deadly bluetongue virus that has been sweeping across restrictions in areas of the east and south east, where the virus has been detected, have been lifted making the whole of England a restricted zone (RZ).But while the change will make it easier for cattle and sheep to move around England, animals coming to Scotland will have to be tested or Scotland's president, Andrew Connon, said it was important for farmers to stick to the rules and keep the virus out. The Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is carried by infected midges and can cause animals "significant suffering" and death, according to a letter sent to farmers from the chief vet Sheila said the widening of the restricted zone to cover the whole of England removed a "buffer" and that the disease "could creep closer to Scotland without warning".She added: "There is a general industry consensus that Scotland should work with the intention of remaining BTV-3 free for as long as possible, and we will deploy a suite of movement restrictions from the RZ and surveillance measures to achieve this goal." Although Bluetongue can be devastating for farmers, there is no risk from the virus to human vaccines have been available since April but have to be provided at the expense of the vets are understood to be administering them for around £5 per dose to make it affordable for whole which have had one type of vaccine - called Bultavo-3 - are able to move from England to Scotland without further cattle which have been given other makes of vaccine - or any other animals - will have to be tested before and after being moved to say that testing is prohibitively expensive for sheep meaning cross-border trade is likely to be significantly from NFU Scotland suggest 193,000 sheep were moved from England to Scotland last year along with 50,000 figures don't include animals which were brought to Scotland for bodies including the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers say the restrictions should be extended to cover the whole of the UK to allow the flow of cross-border trade to continue. But NFU Scotland says that while the restrictions will be difficult for farmers, it's right that every effort is made to keep the virus out for as long as possible.
Scotsman
20-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Farmers vow to keep pressure on 'family farm tax'
Farming leaders said the inheritance tax changes have been the most emotive issue they've witnessed in their lobbying careers. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Farming unions have vowed to 'keep up the pressure' on the UK Government to revise the controversial 'family farm tax'. From next year, a 20 per cent inheritance rate is set to be levied on agricultural assets worth more than £1 million, which were previously exempt. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The proposals, announced in last year's Autumn budget, have been described as 'draconian' and 'industry threatening' by farming unions. The plans saw tractors descend on Westminster and Holyrood and elsewhere across the UK on several occasions in protest earlier this year. Royal Highland Show takes place over four days in June and is Scotland's largest agriculture event Asked if the inheritance tax changes are likely to go ahead, National Farmer's Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) leader Andrew Connon said the organisation is still lobbying hard to fight against them. Andrew Connon, head of the National Farmers Union Scotland | NFU Scotland Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, Mr Connon said: 'We will keep the pressure on because it is so fundamentally important. 'It has been the most emotive thing I've come across in my career in the union. We will not give up the fighting. We will not give up.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The UK government insists only around 500 farms will be impacted, but the figure is disputed, with rural groups claiming the impact will extend a lot further. A report published earlier this year showed almost half (49 per cent) of farmers have paused or cancelled investment in their businesses because of what the fiscal changes would bring. Farming unions have previously called for a pause in the debate until a profitability review of farmers in the UK had been carried out. Last month, the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (Efra), which includes seven Labour MPs - a majority - warned UK ministers should delay the reforms to farming inheritance tax due to 'poor' communication in policy that could impact vulnerable farmers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Efra report called on UK government ministers to push back announcing its final agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) reforms until October 2026, to come into effect in April 2027. They said by doing so it would bring a 'better formulation of tax policy', which would buy more time for 'vulnerable farmers' to seek advice. A response to the report from ministers is due to be issued next month, the NFU Scotland said. Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray, who also attended the show, acknowledged there are disagreements in the agricultural sector over the so-called family farm tax, but insisted 'we're not going to change our minds'. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray | PA Despite opposition to the proposed tax changes from farming unions, Mr Murray, who attended the UK Government stall at the show, said the debate had not led to antagonism at the show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Murray said: 'I've just met with the NFUS and the president there. 'We had a long discussion for 40 minutes on issues we're helping them with.' He said these included seasonal worker immigration issues. The Scottish Secretary added: 'They're very, very happy about the SPS agreement and the EU trade deal. 'They want to advance that and go even further for obvious reasons. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And then we had a small chat about inheritance tax as well. 'Of course it's an issue where we're not going to agree on everything. 'But the UK Government's been pretty clear that we made that change in October, we're not going to change our minds on that. 'So we're going to have continued dialogue and discussions with the industry.'
Scotsman
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scotland rejects climate change committee advice to cut livestock herds by a quarter
Farmers welcomed the move, saying grazing livestock are 'part of the solution, not the problem.' Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland has dismissed official climate change advice to slash cattle and sheep herds by about a quarter for emissions targets. The announcement was made at the opening of the Royal Highland Show on Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the official body offering advice to UK government and devolved nations recommended Scotland cut its livestock herds by 27 per cent by 2040 for Net Zero targets. The announcement was met with widespread concern among the farming community who have repeatedly said livestock numbers can be part of the solution when it comes to climate change mitigation. Speaking at the Quality Meat Scotland breakfast event at the show, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'Let me be absolutely crystal clear, this government has no policy and will have no policy to cut livestock numbers.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon The decision was welcomed by the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland), who had urged ministers to reject the 'narrow proposals'. The move followed new greenhouse gas statistics showing agriculture emissions in Scotland have already fallen by 13.6 per cent since 1990, alongside publication of the CCC's latest recommendations on UK and Scottish carbon budgets. NFU Scotland vice president Duncan Macalister said: 'Farmers are already cutting emissions and increasing efficiencies - not by reducing output, but by improving how we produce food. 'It's about net zero, not zero emissions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Grazing livestock are part of the solution, not the problem - especially when managed well in pasture-based systems like ours. 'The government now needs to say clearly: how will future support reflect that reality and where does livestock fit in a climate-smart farming future?' Earlier this week, NFU Scotland met with the Climate Change Committee to discuss how farming can contribute to climate goals without undermining food production, biodiversity or rural livelihoods. The announcement comes after first minister John Swinney, ahead of attending the show himself, said: 'Our ambition is for Scotland to be a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. To do that we are working in partnership with the sector to transform the support we give to our farmers and crofters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The Royal Highland Show is our chance to showcase the absolute best of food produce, farming excellence and all of the industries that support our rural communities.' Mr Swinney pointed to the Scottish Government's commitment to sustainable food production, with more than £600 million annually, including maintaining direct support payments in the subsidy scheme, a system that is being phased out south of the border. Farmers are still in the dark about how the new four-tier subsidy scheme to replace the pre-Brexit CAP payments will work.
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Differing reactions from farming and tourism bosses as Galloway National park Plans scrapped
NFU Scotland has welcomed the move but the South of Scotland Destination Alliance has been left deeply disappointed. Farming and tourism bosses have offered different reactions to the decision not to make Galloway Scotland's third national park. A report on NatureScot's consultation revealed there was great support among the environment, recreation and tourism industries, with landowners and managers as well as the farming, forestry and the renewable energy sectors having the greatest concerns. NFU Scotland president, Andrew Cannon, said: 'Farmers, crofters and land managers raised legitimate concerns around the clarity, cost and purpose of the designation. 'The Scottish Government has clearly recognised that there was not enough local backing for such a significant change in land management structure. 'We thank NatureScot for engaging closely with us during the process and for recognising, as we have repeatedly called for, that existing arrangements should be strengthened rather than overhauled. 'Going forward, we urge the Scottish Government to work in partnership with NFU Scotland and our members on practical projects that support biodiversity, climate action and thriving rural communities without additional regulatory burdens.' Scottish Land and Estates also welcomed the move. The South of Scotland Destination Alliance were left disappointed by Rurual Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon's announcement. Chief executive, David Hope-Jones, said: 'We feel this is a missed opportunity to attract sustained investment in visitor management, visitor experience and visitor infrastructure. We represent 750+ local businesses and when consulted in the autumn of 2023, the majority of SSDA members (66 per cent) supported the idea. 'Now that the Galloway National Park has been rejected by the Scottish Government, we feel it is crucial that there is some other form of investment in the south of Scotland to support sustainable tourism and economic prosperity. 'Together, we have an ambitious South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy, developed and delivered by hundreds of local businesses and communities, with all public agencies committed. The results from this have been hugely positive and yet there has been a significant decrease in funding to support sustainable destination management and marketing. 'In deciding not to back the Galloway National Park, we call on the Scottish Government to outline how, through new investment, the same sustainable economic results can be achieved.' Other organisations unhappy at the move included Ramblers Scotland, Protect Rural Scotland, the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
