Decline in Farm Incomes (Issue)

Inventory Topic Area: LAND USE - FARMING, FORESTRY, COUNTRY SPORTS AND ESTATES

Subject: DECLINE IN FARM INCOMES

Management issues:

The Working Party welcome initiatives which maintain and enhance farm incomes and broaden the range of economic activities open to farmers. Opportunities for diversification are limited but include provision for tourism, farm forestry, farm contracting and the conversion of redundant buildings for other uses. The high visitor numbers provide a ready-made potential market. The Working Party are, however, disappointed that Farm Diversification Grants have been discontinued at a time when new enterprises require encouragement and financial support. Schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme where farmers can be paid to open their farms to the public do not apply in Scotland, and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has not benefited from Objective 5b status as part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area, which is adjacent and in many ways similar, has done.

Key words: Buildings; Visitors; Agriculture and farming; Grants and Support Schemes; Housing; Finance

Location: Loch Lomond and Trossachs area

Principle organisations: Central Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

National Farmers Union for Scotland

Scottish Office - Library

Local contacts: None

Information:

Central Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Information Booklets

Central Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Grants Information

EQULFA Project

Farm Diversification and Planning Permission by the Scottish Office

Farm Diversification in Scotland