- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any animal welfare issues associated with the ending of the Bull Hire Scheme and, if so, what those issues are.
Answer
The ending of the Bull Hire Scheme does not raise any novel animal welfare issues. New owners and keepers of animals will have a responsibility to ensure their welfare in accordance with the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farm Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2000. There are also health and safety considerations in relation to the keeping of bulls and the Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Cattle contains advice on the keeping of bulls. Crofters Commission staff will be available over coming months to assist with the training of crofting groups who wish to take on a bull.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there is competition in the private bull hire market in the most remote communities.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17650 on 14 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how many suckler cows have been farmed in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06 and (d) 2006-07, broken down by region.
Answer
The requested information is given in the following table:
Number of Suckler Cows by Agricultural Region
| | Suckler Cows |
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Agricultural Region | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number | Number |
| Shetland | 2,022 | 2,001 | 2,111 | 2,038 | 1,934 | 1,960 |
| Orkney | 28,486 | 28,938 | 28,362 | 28,096 | 27,259 | 26,565 |
| Eileanan an Iar | 2,854 | 2,895 | 2,886 | 2,873 | 2,870 | 2,799 |
| Highland | 55,119 | 55,657 | 55,184 | 53,817 | 52,210 | 51,242 |
| North East Scotland | 95,399 | 95,854 | 96,260 | 95,352 | 94,471 | 92,626 |
| Tayside | 38,124 | 38,247 | 37,601 | 37,440 | 36,397 | 36,065 |
| Fife | 14,239 | 14,122 | 13,899 | 14,503 | 13,951 | 13,722 |
| Lothian | 13,476 | 13,711 | 13,721 | 13,622 | 13,436 | 13,696 |
| Scottish Borders | 48,853 | 49,137 | 50,290 | 49,331 | 46,789 | 45,371 |
| East Central | 13,561 | 13,679 | 13,643 | 13,475 | 13,152 | 12,976 |
| Argyll and Bute | 22,852 | 23,297 | 22,958 | 22,251 | 21,300 | 20,901 |
| Clyde Valley | 33,197 | 34,323 | 34,415 | 32,900 | 31,896 | 31,543 |
| Ayrshire | 30,589 | 30,804 | 31,017 | 31,222 | 29,993 | 30,168 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 88,362 | 90,208 | 89,972 | 90,274 | 86,566 | 84,720 |
| Scotland | 487,133 | 492,873 | 492,319 | 487,194 | 472,224 | 464,354 |
Source: Scottish agricultural census. Data refers to first, non-Sunday, day in June each year.
The information for 2003 to 2007 is already available, through separate publications for each year, in the annual Scottish Agricultural Census Summary Sheets publication.
The information can be accessed through the agriculture and fisheries statistics website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Agriculture-Fisheries/PubScottishCensus.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what records it holds that show the original purpose of the Bull Hire Scheme.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17638 on 14 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that private bull hire enterprises have sufficient experience and expertise to transport bulls safely to all island communities.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17650 on 14 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what its reasons are for undertaking a compulsory bluetongue vaccination scheme while the rest of the United Kingdom is not doing so.
Answer
Veterinary advice and the analysis by EPIC is that mass vaccination campaign against bluetongue virus 8 would be in Scotland best interests. In the light of this advice and evidence of likely take up under voluntary initiatives industry stakeholders advocated a compulsory campaign to achieve the mass coverage required to prevent bluetongue virus 8 from becoming established in Scotland.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the special care requirements of bulls as opposed to other cattle.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17644 on 14 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how crofters can make an application to obtain financial support to hire bulls from private bull hire enterprises.
Answer
Future arrangements to mitigate transport costs of private hire, as noted in the Scottish Government''s response to the Shucksmith Inquiry, will be put to the European Commission in the first half of 2009. These arrangements will be designed to ensure that hiring in remote areas should be no more costly than on the mainland.
It is proposed that future support should be delivered through the Scotland Rural Development Programme. Consideration is being given to providing such support on a demand-led rather than competitive basis. No guarantee can be given that all applications for Scottish Government support will meet the relevant eligibility criteria and other conditions.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how long the Bull Hire Scheme operated by the Crofters Commission has been in existence.
Answer
Cattle improvement measures have been available since the end of the 19th century, operated under powers provided by the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act 1897. Records from that time are not readily available, though information may be held in the public archives. The Crofters Commission took over management of the Bull Hire Scheme and stud farm at Inverness on 1 April 1996.
The purpose of the existing scheme has been defined as: Through support for livestock improvement measures, to retain livestock in these remote areas in order to maintain and enhance the environmental benefits associated with undertaking grazing by cattle on natural pastures as well as to promote collaborative working in crofting communities; thereby helping to maintain population in these remote areas.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 14 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how many bulls the Crofters Commission owns and administers for hire to crofters.
Answer
In 2008, the Crofters Commission maintained a herd of 132 bulls to provide hire services to crofting groups. Details of hires in 2006, 2007, and 2008 are as set out in the table below. As hire groups are usually made up of a mixture of crofters, grazings committees and communities, more detailed breakdowns are not possible. Disclosure of personal details would contravene data protection legislation.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| 124 hires | 121 hires | 119 hires |
| Townships |
| Abernethy | Achachork | Achachork |
| Achachork | Ahmore | Ahmore |
| Acharacle | Aird | Aird |
| Ahmore | Airds Kirkton | Airds Kirkton |
| Aird | Ardheslaig | Ardheslaig |
| Airds Kirkton | Ardnamonie | Ardnamonie |
| Airor | Arinackaig | Arinackaig |
| Ardheslaig | Back of Keppoch | Back of Keppoch |
| Ardnamonie | Balantrushal | Balantrushal |
| Arinackaig | Balavullin | Balavullin |
| Back of Keppoch | Baleloch | Baleloch |
| Balantrushal | Balemore | Balemore |
| Balavullin | Balephetrish | Balephetrish |
| Baleloch | Balmaqueen | Balmaqueen |
| Balemore | Balranald | Balranald |
| Balephetrish | Barrapol Tiree | Balvraid |
| Balmaqueen | Birichen | Barrapol Tiree |
| Balranald | Borve Barra | Birichen |
| Barrapol Tiree | Borve Berneray | Borve Barra |
| Birichen | Breakish Moss | Borve Berneray |
| Borve Barra | Brogaig and Sartle | Breakish Moss |
| Borve Berneray | Caligarry | Brogaig and Sartle |
| Breakish Moss | Clachan Sands | Caligarry |
| Brogaig and Sartle | Clashmore | Clachan Sands |
| Caligarry | Corpach | Clashmore |
| Callanish | Cullivoe | Corpach |
| Clachan Sands | Diabaig | Cosaig |
| Clashmore | Doll Brora | Cullivoe |
| Corpach | Dorback and Dulnain | Diabaig |
| Cullivoe | Drimsdale | Doll Brora |
| Diabaig | Drumuie | Dorback and Dulnain |
| Doll Brora | Dunans | Drimsdale |
| Dorback and Dulnain | Earlish | Drumuie |
| Drimsdale | East Brora | Dunans |
| Drumuie | Elgol | Earlish |
| Dunans | Eoligarry | East Brora |
| Earlish | Erisort | Elgol |
| East Brora | Erisort | Eoligarry |
| Elgol | Feorlig/Roag | Erisort |
| Eoligarry | Fetlar | Erisort |
| Erisort | Gesto | Feorlig/Roag |
| Erisort | Glaick | Fetlar |
| Feorlig/Roag | Glenelg | Garynahine |
| Fetlar | Glenhinnisdale | Gesto |
| Gesto | Glenmoriston | Glaick |
| Glaick | Grean and Cleat | Glenelg |
| Glenelg | Grenitote | Glenhinnisdale |
| Glenhinnisdale | Halladale | Glenmoriston |
| Glenmoriston | Harroldswick | Grean and Cleat |
| Grean and Cleat | Heaste | Grenitote |
| Grenitote | Hosta | Harroldswick |
| Halladale | Hougharry | Heaste |
| Harroldswick | Illeray | Hilton Of Embo |
| Heaste | Isle Ewe | Hosta |
| Hosta | Keoldale | Hougharry |
| Hougharry | Kilkenneth | Illeray |
| Illeray | Kilphedar | Isle Ewe |
| Isle Ewe | Kingsburgh | Keoldale |
| Keoldale | Kinloid | Kilkenneth |
| Kilkenneth | Knockline | Kilphedar |
| Kilphedar | Knockrome | Kinloid |
| Kingsburgh | Knockvologen | Knockline |
| Kinloid | Laxay | Knockrome |
| Knockintorran | Lee Knockan | Knockvologen |
| Knockline | Linicro | Laxay |
| Knockrome | Lotts | Lee Knockan |
| Knockvologen | Marwick Orkney | Linicro |
| Laxay | Mellon Charles | Lower Barvas |
| Lee Knock | Migdale | Marwick Orkney |
| Linicro | Milton | Mellon Charles |
| Lotts | Monkstadt | Middleton and Sandaig |
| Marwick Orkney | North Boisdale | Migdale |
| Mellon Charles | North Harris Group | Milton |
| Middlequarter | North Raasay | Monkstadt |
| Middleton | Ness | North Boisdale |
| Migdale | Newtonferry | North Harris Group |
| Milton | North Roe | North Raasay |
| Monkstadt | Old Corry | Ness |
| North Boisdale | Park Grazings | Newtonferry |
| North Harris Group | South Unst | North Roe |
| North Raasay | Satran | Old Corry |
| Ness | Scaristaveg | Ormiclate |
| Newtonferry | Scullamus | Park Grazings |
| North Roe | Skerray | South Unst( Uyeasound) |
| Old Corry | Sollas | Sanday, Canna |
| Park Grazings | Sorrisdale | Satran |
| South Unst | South Boisdale | Scaristaveg |
| Satran | Stenscholl | Scullamus |
| Scaristaveg | Stoneybridge | Skerray |
| Scullamus | Strathascaig | Sollas |
| Skerray | Strone and Craggan | Sorrisdale |
| Sollas | Tigharry | South Boisdale |
| Sorrisdale | Tomich | Stenscholl |
| South Boisdale | Tomich | Stoneybridge |
| Stenscholl | Torrin | Strathascaig |
| Stoneybridge | Totescore | Strone and Craggan |
| Strathascaig | Ullinish and Balgown | Tigharry |
| Strone and Craggan | Unakillie | Tingwall |
| Stronmilichan | Upper Barvas | Tomich |
| Tigharry | Vatersay | Tomich |
| Tomich | West Gerinish | Torrin |
| Tomich | West Sandwick | Totescore |
| Torrin | | Ullinish and Balgown |
| Totescore | | Unakillie |
| Ullinish and Balgown | | Upper Barvas |
| Unakillie | | Vatersay |
| Upper Barvas | | West Gerinish |
| Vatersay | | West Sandwick |
| West Gerinish | | |
| West Sandwick | | |
| WestEnd Iona | | |
