Challenges facing crofters to be raised at Holyrood

Some of the problems facing crofters and farmers will be highlighted in Holyrood today.

MSP Tavish Scott will take the opportunity to flag up concerns over high fodder costs and the impact of sheep prices slumping to a seven-year low, in a Holyrood agriculture debate.

He will use the Scottish government’s debate to argue for short-term assistance to local crofters and farmers. He will also raise the importance of public sector bodies such as schools, hospitals and care centres buying local produce and the need for the Scottish government to guarantee that CAP payments will be made in the first two weeks of December.

Mr Scott said, “Crofters and farmers in Shetland are under pressure and they need government to respond to that. I will highlight these pressures in Parliament today and trust we get a good response.”

The debate takes place between 2.40pm and 5pm today.