The Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs team has told the Rural Affairs Minister to think again about introducing article 68, described by NFUS as a “blunt instrument” that could de-stable Scottish stock.

Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney Liam McArthur said:

“Standing back and watching the exodus of livestock and people from our hills and islands is not an option. Yet trying to use Article 68 to stem the flow is not the answer and won't work.

“The Rural Affairs Secretary's proposals also have the potential to pit sections of Scotland's farming community against each other. This is dangerous at a time when we need a collective approach to securing a viable and thriving farming sector for the long term.

“I urge Richard Lochhead to use tomorrow's meeting to ditch these plans and think again.”

Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland Jim Hume added:

“Article 68 isn’t targeted properly, so farmers that need the help could well miss out.

“It won’t address livestock decline as monies would be taken from one parish and into another regardless of economic activity.

“If the Minister is serious about helping Scottish farmers he’ll go back to the drawing board.”

Ends.