Bull hire scheme to continue 8/2/10
A modern, streamlined bull stud facility will continue to be run by the Scottish Government to secure the quality of livestock in crofting areas.
A reduced crofters' Bull Hire Scheme will be continued to be operated by the Scottish Government.
But crofting minister Roseanna Cunningham said she wants crofters to run their own local schemes.
But she has agreed to upgrade the Government's bull stud farms in Inverness which hires bulls to crofters who traditionally do not have enough stock to afford to run their own.
Ms Cunningham said: "The best way to ensure the continued quality of livestock in crofting areas is a reduced, streamlined stud base at Inverness.
"I asked the Review Group to consider community-
"Nevertheless, my long-
A Crofters' Bull Hire Scheme has been funded and operated by the Government since 1897. The scheme has enabled crofters to access high quality bulls and supply quality calves to the beef industry throughout Scotland.
The Government subsidises bull hire by some 60 per cent of the full cost. The most recent scheme, the Crofters Cattle Quality Improvement Scheme, was introduced in 2005, hiring bulls at a fee of £500, plus an overwintering charge of £350, £80 towards transport costs and £17 for insurance as well as VAT.
Between 2006 and 2008, on average, 120 bulls were hired to approximately 450 participants in 106 crofting townships. These bulls served 4083 cows in 2008 out of a total of 28,315 cows held on crofts, representing 14 per cent of crofters cows.
The Shucksmith Inquiry, reporting in May 2008, recommended that support for bull hire should change.