This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Framework for agriculture in Western Isles
16/12/2002
A strategic framework setting out proposals for helping
the agricultural industry in the Western Isles was
published today.
The report by Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) is the
product of more than a year's work by WIE and other
stakeholders in taking forward recommendations in the
Executive's A Forward Strategy for Scottish
Agriculture.
The framework document analyses the difficulties facing
agriculture in the Western Isles, and proposes solutions
that have broad community support, including encouraging
the purchase of local produce.
In welcoming the report, Rural Development Minister Ross
Finnie said:
"I commend Western Isles Enterprise, and the other
organisations involved in producing this framework
document, for the effort and imagination that has gone into
its preparation. I am particularly pleased to see the
extent to which the local community has been involved in
contributing to the framework document.
"Many of the solutions suggested in the document echo
those found in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture,
but with a local emphasis. This is clearly important in an
area such as the Western Isles, which has its own
particular problems, but which also has unique
opportunities.
"I look forward to working with Western Isles Enterprise
and other organisations as they pursue the proposals in the
framework document."
A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture was
published in June 2001, and can be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/agri/fssa-00.asp
Action 35 of the Strategy states:
"Western Isles Enterprise (WIE), in partnership with
others, will work with the farming and crofting community
in the Western Isles to agree a strategic framework which
identifies the concerns facing that community with the aim
of improving the prosperity of farming businesses and
developing alternative sources of income."
The public launch of Action 35: Strategic Framework for
Crofting and Farming in the Western Isles will take place
today at 12 noon in the Morven Gallery in Barvas on the
Isle of Lewis.
Copies of the framework document can be obtained
from:-
Western Isles Enterprise
James Square
9 James Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2QN
Tel.: 01851 703703
E-mail: wie@hient.co.uk