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Scottish Agriculture
A Guide to Grants and Services
SERVICES
Agricultural Health and Safety
CONTACT & INFORMATION -
HSE internet website address:
www.hse.gov.uk
HSE information line Tel: 08701 545500, fax: 02920 859260, e-mail:
hseinformationservices@natbrit.com or write to HSE Infoline, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG.
To report an accident contact HSE Incident Contact Centre Tel: 0845 3009923, Fax: 0845 3009924, e-mail:
riddor@natbrit.com or visit
www.riddor.gov.uk
To obtain HSE books contact PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, Tel: 01787 881165, Fax: 01787 313995, e-mail:
hsebooks@prolog.uk.com or visit
www.hsebooks.co.uk
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors can be contacted at:
Belford House,
59 Belford Road,
Edinburgh, EH4 3UE.
Tel: 0131 247 2000
Fax: 0131 247 2121 | Lord Cullen House,
Fraser Place,
Aberdeen, AB25 3UB.
Tel: 01224 252 500
Fax: 01224 252 525 |
Pegasus House,
375 West George Street,
Glasgow, G2 4LW.
Tel: 0141 275 3000
Fax: 0141 275 3100 | 28 Longman Road,
Longman Industrial Estate,
Inverness, IV1 1SF.
Tel: 01463 718 101
Fax: 01463 713 459 |
Agricultural Training and Apprenticeships
Lantra Sector Skills Council (SSC) is the Government recognised SSC for the land-based sector, including agriculture and aquaculture. Working closely with employers, industry organisations, Government Departments and Agencies, and providers of learning and business support services, Lantra aim to raise the level of skills, knowledge and enterprise of everyone involved in the land-based sector. This work includes developing Scottish Vocational Qualifications and Modern Apprenticeships, as well as ensuring that everyone within the land based sector has access to the highest quality training through the Lantra Professional Register - a quality assured association of training and business support practitioners throughout Scotland.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - For details of your local training provider and information on training, education, apprenticeships and business development opportunities, contact Lantra Connect
Tel: 0845 707 8007 or e-mail:
connect@lantra.co.uk . For other enquiries contact Lantra, Newlands, Scone, Perth, PH2 6NL,
Tel: 01738 553311, Fax: 01738 553322 or visit
www.lantra.co.uk
Arterial Drainage
The Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958 empowers Scottish Ministers, on application by owners of agricultural land, to make improvement orders authorising the carrying out of arterial drainage/river works for the benefit of that land. The cost of such works included in improvement orders and subsequent maintenance works must be borne by the landowners.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Advice on applying for an improvement order is available from SEERAD, Tel: 0131 244 6419.
Beef Assurance Scheme
This voluntary UK scheme was introduced to allow specialist beef producers with slow maturing breeds to sell their animals for human consumption at 30 - 42 months. Members are charged an annual fee to cover administrative costs.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Animal Health Offices, or Food Standards Agency (Scotland), 6th Floor, St Magnus House,
25 Guild Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6NJ, Tel: 01224 285144.
Beef Labelling Scheme
The Beef Labelling Scheme was introduced to provide consumers with reliable information about the beef and veal they buy. The compulsory labelling system requires all fresh and frozen beef to be labelled with basic information about its origin and the license number of the relevant abattoir and cutting plant. Under the voluntary scheme, anyone in the supply chain giving consumers anything more than basic information about beef must get prior approval from SEERAD. Approval is only given if the applicant has put in place arrangements to guarantee the accuracy of the information. To do this the applicant has to employ an independent third party, accredited to European Standard EN45011, to verify the details on the label.
Beef labelling is monitored by Local Authorities at the retail level and by SEERAD's Meat and Livestock Inspectors at abattoirs, cutting plants and wholesalers.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Livestock and Livestock Products Branch, SEERAD, Room 262, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY, Tel: 0131 244 6408 or visit the Scottish Executive's website at
www.scotland.gov.uk/beeflabellingscheme
Certification, Seed and Crop
Schemes are operated for the certification of seed potatoes (described elsewhere in this guide) and seed of beet, cereals, fodder plants, oil and fibre plants and vegetables, and of the crops of soft fruit plants and narcissus. The certification schemes for seed potatoes and seed of beet, cereals, fodder plants, oil and fibre plants and vegetables are governed by Seeds Regulations, which set out minimum marketing quality standards and rules for sealing and labelling. These regulations also restrict marketing to plant varieties named in the UK National Lists or the EC Common Catalogue.
Cereal plants and grain can be submitted for varietal identification to the Cereal Section at the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA), who also provide courses on Crop Inspection and Varietal Identification.
CONTACT & INFORMATION -Cereal Certification Scheme and courses on offer can be obtained from Cereal Section, SASA, Tel: 0131 244 8856/8833, e-mail
Gerry.Hall@sasa.gsi.gov.uk or from the SASA website at
www.sasa.gov.uk/seed_testing/cereals/index.cfm
Non-Cereal Seed Certification Schemes and Seed Sampling
courses can be obtained from the Herbage & Vegetable Section,
SASA, Tel: 0131 244 8885/8899, e-mail
Ken.Pearson@sasa.gsi.gov.uk or from the SASA website at
www.sasa.gov.uk/seed_testing/herbage_and_vegetable_crops/index.cfm
There are EC Marketing Regulations for Ornamental Plant Propagation Material and certain genera of vegetable and fruit plants. Details of these and certification schemes for soft fruit and narcissus can be obtained through SEERAD, Horticultural Unit, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY,
Tel: 0131 244 6303.
Co-operation and Collaborative Activity (SAOS)
SAOS is a rural development organisation with specialist knowledge and skills in joint venture and co-operation. The organisation's aim is to strengthen the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Scotland's farming, food and related rural businesses through the development of co-operation and joint activity. SAOS assists established farmer-owned businesses and new groups.
SAOS can advise groups of farmers and growers in all stages of the feasibility and development process, leading to preparation of a commercial business proposition for prospective members. Thereafter, SAOS can assist in attracting grant and bank support, providing constitutional, financial and contractual structures, advising on directors' roles and responsibilities, recruiting members and key employees, etc. SAOS has a series of publications featuring case studies of successful co-operation and joint venture.
SAOS is the membership organisation of Scottish rural co-ops and farmer-owned businesses and new groups may apply for membership. SAOS is supported by SEERAD, works closely with the Scottish Enterprise Network, and has constitutional links with NFU Scotland and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - James Graham, Chief Executive, SAOS Ltd, Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, EH28 8NZ,
Tel: 0131 472 4100, e-mail
saos@saos.co.uk or visit
www.saos.co.uk
Health Schemes
Cattle Health Scheme
The Premium Cattle Health Scheme for Johnes Disease, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Leptospirosis and BVD is operated by the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), Veterinary Science Division.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - George Caldow, Veterinary
Centre, Greycrook, St Boswells, Roxburghshire, TD6 0EU,
Tel: 01835 822 456, Fax: 01835 823 643, e-mail
vcstboswells@ed.sac.ac.uk or visit
www.cattlehealth.co.uk/
Deer Health Scheme
The scheme aims to create a nucleus of farmed deer herds of attested tuberculosis-free status along with promotions of health, welfare and husbandry aspects.
Poultry Health Scheme
The aims of the scheme are to maintain and improve the health of poultry breeding stock and to provide the necessary standards required for both domestic and export purposes. Membership of the scheme is an essential prerequisite for all flock owners wishing to export to the EC.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Further information on Deer and Poultry Health Schemes from SEERAD Area Offices.
Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme
The purpose of the scheme is to ensure the availability of an adequate veterinary service and disease surveillance in designated areas of Scotland, namely the former Crofting Counties, for all animals kept for agricultural purposes. This involves the setting of fees for visits to crofters and persons of like economic status, and the reimbursement of vets' travel etc costs associated with such visits.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Animal Health Offices.
Intervention Buying
Certain products - beef, butter, cereals and skimmed milk powder (SMP) - can be offered into intervention. Minimum quantities and qualities may apply. Beef and butter may be offered when
the market price for these commodities falls below the trigger or safety net price in two consecutive weeks; and
the European Commission agrees to open intervention purchasing.
When intervention opens, an announcement is made and traders may submit tenders to sell into intervention.
Offers of cereals and SMP can be made during purchase seasons which are
for cereals - 1 November to 31 May; and
for SMP - 1 March to 31 August.
Products offered will be paid for at prices fixed in advance.
The price to be paid for the product includes the cost of delivery into store. However, in certain circumstances the cost of transporting the goods to the intervention store may be reimbursed. Alternatively, offers may be made to store products in situ in the offerer's own facility.
Traders may offer to store eligible products, for which they are paid a fee on removal of the goods from storage, through Private Storage Aid (PSA). Butter PSA is normally available during 15 March to 15 August each year. The availability of Meat PSA is dependent on market conditions.
CONTACT & INFORMATION -
For intervention, Tel: 0191 273 9696
For beef and cereals, Tel: 0191 226 5161 or 5229
For butter and SMP, Tel: 0191 226 5058 or 5060
For further information on Private Storage Aid, Tel: 0191 226 5058 or 5832
Livestock Identification (ID) and Traceability
Cattle
All cattle are required to have a passport. The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) processes passport applications which must be made within 7 days of tagging an animal. All cattle must be tagged with an approved eartag in each ear within 20 days of birth. In the case of dairy cattle, at least one of the tags must be fitted within 36 hours of birth. Except for dairy cattle, both primary and secondary tags must be applied at the same time. All cattle must be tagged before leaving the holding.
For cattle imported from other Member States, an application for a passport must be made within 15 days of the cattle arriving at the holding.
From 29 January 2001, legislation requires that all older cattle must be registered on the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) database and hold a Certificate of Registration (COR).
From 31 October 2003, the policy was tightened regarding the submission of late passport applications to BCMS. All applications received after the legal deadline will be refused and a registration document will be issued confirming that although the animal has been refused a passport, it has been registered on CTS. This document is known as a NOR (Notice of Registration). Keepers who, for valid reasons, have been prevented from meeting a deadline may appeal to the BCMS Helpline, tel: 0845 050 1234.
Failure to register cattle timeously and to record movements may mean that the animal cannot be used for human consumption. There may also be implications for subsidy payments.
Cattle movements must be notified to the CTS database within 3 days.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - CTS website at
www.bcms.gov.uk or via
www.scotfarmonline.gov.uk. Both sites allow keepers with internet facilities direct access to the central database to register births, cattle movements and to download details to update farm records. BCMS Helpline - 0845 050 1234.
Pigs
The Pigs (Record, Identification and Movement) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2002 requires that all movements of pigs, including those going to slaughter, be notified to the Local Authority of the consigning location. This should be done on the relevant Declaration and a copy of this must be sent to the Local Authority within 3 days of the completed movement by the keeper (or his agent).
CONTACT & INFORMATION - The Trading Standards Office for your Local Authority.
Sheep & Goats
The current Scottish Animal Movement System (SAMS) covers Sheep and Goat Identification and Traceability in Scotland. It has 4 main elements:
baseline tagging or tattooing
movement tags
standardised Movement Documents
notification of movement to the Scottish Animal Movement Unit (SAMU)
Full details of the system were explained in a "Dear Keeper" letter issued to all registered sheep and goat keepers. A copy of this letter can be found at
www.scotland.gov.uk/livestocktraceability or a copy can be obtained from SAMU. SEERAD Area Offices can provide new books of movement documents.
Keepers who wish to notify movements to SAMU electronically can do so by going to
www.scotland.gov.uk/livestocktraceability where the form should be completed as directed. Alternatively, details can be faxed or posted to the contact points below.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Queries on SAMS should be directed to SAMU staff on 0131 244 4202. Movement Document notifications to: Fax 0131 244 1946 or by post to Room 211, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY, or e-mail
SAMU@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Milk Quotas
The administration of milk quotas is undertaken by the Rural Payments Agency.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Rural Payments Agency, Milk Quotas, PO Box 277, Exeter, EX5 1WB. Dairy Schemes Helpline
Tel: 01392 266466, fax: 01392 266489, e-mail
Milk.Quotas@rpa.gsi.gov.uk . General advice on dairy matters can be obtained from SEERAD, tel: 0131 244 6953, e-mail
dairy.enquiry@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Pest Control
Foxes
Grants of up to 50% are available on approved expenditure incurred by fox destruction clubs undertaking systematic fox control in a four month unbroken period in the spring.
Moles
Permits to purchase strychnine for destroying moles on ground which is in agricultural use may be obtained from SEERAD Area Offices.
Rats and Mice
Local Authorities provide advice on the control of rats and mice.
Wild Birds and Other Animals
In certain circumstances, licences may be granted for the killing or taking of certain protected species for the purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Further information on Pest Control can be obtained from SEERAD Area Offices.
Pesticide Residues
Analysis of seed, crops or soil for a range of pesticides can be done by the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA). This can be used to provide information on efficacy of treatments or to ensure compliance with maximum residue limits under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (as amended).
CONTACT & INFORMATION - SASA, Tel: 0131 244 8864.
Plant Breeders' Rights and National List
Statutory Schemes for potatoes, cereals and many other agricultural and horticultural species enable the breeder of a new variety to sell it and control its commercial reproduction.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - SEERAD, Mail Point 1 - B, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY,
Tel: 0131 244 6341
Applications for licences to deal in varieties which are subject to plant breeders' rights may be obtained from the British Society of Plant Breeders Ltd, Woolpack Chambers, Market Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4ND, Tel: 01353 653 200
Plant breeders seeking rights for new varieties may obtain details from the Controller of Plant Variety Rights, Plant Variety Rights Office, DEFRA, White House Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LF
Applications for National List tests may be obtained from DEFRA at the above address
Plants, Plant Produce and Potatoes
Intra-community trade in the Single Market is governed by a system of registration for horticultural growers and the use of plant passports.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - SEERAD, Horticultural Unit, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY,
Tel: 0131 244 6303.
Phytosanitary conditions for the export of seed potatoes.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Visit the Scottish Executive's website at
www.scotland.gov.uk/plantseedspotatoes
All queries relating to potatoes should be directed in the first instance to your SEERAD Area Office. Advice on conditions to be met for import and export including the need for phytosanitary certification and import licensing can be obtained from SEERAD, Mail Point 1 - B, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh,
EH14 1TY, Tel: 0131 244 6345.
Quality Meat Scotland
Quality Meat Scotland represents the Scottish red meat industry and works closely with the sector to help improve its efficiency and profitability. Supported by statutory levies, QMS is now responsible for a range of functions relating to the Scottish red meat industry which were previously undertaken by the MLC at GB level.
QMS's aims reflect the broad range of red meat sector activity in Scotland. These are to:
be the first port of call in Scotland for positive and authoritative information about the red meat industry
be a catalyst for adoption of best practice throughout the red meat chain
build on existing consumer confidence and preference for the Scotch product
undertake a marketing strategy based on segmentation, product/brand integrity and simplicity
enhance the culture of trust throughout the red meat supply and demand chain
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Quality Meat Scotland Ltd, The Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, EH28 8NZ, Tel: 0131 472 4040, Fax: 0131 472 4038, e-mail
info@qmscotland.co.uk or visit
www.qmscotland.co.uk
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
SNH's aims are to:
safeguard Scotland's natural heritage, particularly its natural, genetic and scenic diversity
foster awareness and understanding of the natural heritage
promote enjoyment and responsible public access to the natural heritage in ways which do not damage it
encourage public support and voluntary effort for the benefit of the environment
promote improvement of the natural heritage in and around towns and cities where most of Scotland's people live
encourage environmental sustainability in all forms of economic activity
SNH's Natural Care programme provides payments to help protect and enhance the management of Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Natura sites. Individual schemes, developed by SNH, set out specific management prescriptions for the benefit of particular conservation interests.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Natural Care Team, Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW,
Tel: 01738 444 177 or visit website
www.snh.org.uk
Scrapie
Flocks monitored free from scrapie are eligible for intra-community trade in breeding sheep and goats.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Animal Health Offices or from SEERAD, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY, Tel: 0131 244 6281.
The National Scrapie Plan (NSP) for Great Britain was launched in July 2001 by SEERAD, DEFRA and NAWAD. The aim is to reduce and eliminate scrapie from the national sheep flock by selective breeding for genetic resistance to scrapie in breeding rams and by tackling disease in scrapie-affected flocks.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - NSP Helpline: 0845 601 4858 or visit the website at
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/bse/bse-science/scrapie/nsp/nsp.html
or contact Anna Murray, NSP Branch, Room 349, SEERAD, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY, Tel: 0131 244 6413.
The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) provides a private scrapie gene testing service. The test is carried out on a blood sample.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Catriona Ritchie, Manager, Sheep and Goat Health Schemes, SAC, PO Box 5557, Inverness, IV2 4YT, Tel: 01463 226 995, e-mail
sghs@ed.sac.ac.uk or visit
www.sac.ac.uk/vet/External/SGHS/Scrapie/
Seed Potato Classification Scheme
Before seed potatoes can be marketed, they must meet the requirements of The Seed Potatoes (Scotland) Regulations 2000. The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA) is the Certifying Authority for seed potatoes in Scotland.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Conditions for producing seed potatoes and details of standards for health and purity may be obtained from SPCS section, SASA, East Craigs, 82 Craigs Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8NJ, Tel: 0131 244 6346, e-mail
Catherine.Landels@sasa.gsi.gov.uk or visit website
www.sasa.gov.uk/seed_potatoes/classification/index.cfm
Soil testing for potato cyst nematode is a compulsory prerequisite for land on which all classes of seed potatoes entered for classification are grown.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Application forms can be obtained from SASA (contact details as above), or from SEERAD Area Offices.
Before they are despatched from the farm, all containers of classified seed potatoes must be sealed and labelled with official labels and subjected to official examination. Labels are obtainable from SEERAD Area Offices on payment of a fee accompanying a written application giving prior notice of the dates and place of dressing.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - SEERAD Area Offices or from SASA.
A range of diagnostic and laboratory services is available directly from SASA. These include virus testing on tuber, leaf or soil samples, PCN testing of soil from land or crops and production of pathogen-free tubers or microplants.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - SASA, Tel: 0131 244 8924 or visit
www.sasa.gov.uk
Seed Testing
The Official Seed Testing Station for Scotland (OSTS), part of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA), is the principal centre for seed testing and seed quality information in Scotland.
A wide range of tests, including purity, germination, moisture content, disease, thousand seed weight, tetrazolium and malting tests are available to merchants and growers, either for statutory purposes relating to seed certification or to provide information on the quality of farm-saved seed. The OSTS is accredited by the International Seed Testing Association. It is also accredited by UKAS to the NAMAS Standard.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - OSTS, SASA, East Craigs,
82 Craigs Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8NJ, Tel: 0131 244 8908,
Fax: 0131 244 8971, e-mail
Caroline.Cadger@sasa.gsi.gov.uk or visit
www.sasa.gov.uk/seed_testing/osts/index.cfm
SEERAD Online
SEERAD Online is part of SEERAD's Modernising Government Initiative and also fulfils one of the recommendations made by the External Communications Strategy (a strategy developed by a panel of industry representatives) for the electronic submission of subsidy claims.
The website enables producers and their agents to send claims directly to the Department over the Internet. This is a free and secure service and the site is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Personalised claim forms are subjected to automatic checks on dates, calculations and related information thus minimising the chance of making errors before claims are submitted. Once forms have been transmitted/submitted to the Department, the sender will receive an electronic receipt which can be printed at any time. Enrolment is automatic and there is no need to register.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Visit website
www.scotfarmonline.gov.uk or contact the SEERAD Online Helpdesk on 0845 601 7597 or by e-mail at
seeradonline@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Wages
The Wages Orders of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board and the Guide "Agricultural Wages in Scotland" detail the minimum rates of wages, overtime, holidays, sick pay and other terms and conditions of employment for workers in agriculture.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - The Secretary, Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, Room 261, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY, Tel: 0131 244 6392 or visit the Scottish Executive's website at
www.scotland.gov.uk/agriculturalwages
Whole Farm Review Grants
In line with the National Strategy for Farm Business Advice and Skills, the Scottish Executive proposes to launch a new advice and skills service for Scottish farmers. The key instrument within this service will be a Whole Farm Review grant scheme under which farmers will be able to obtain integrated advice on how to improve the financial and environmental performance of their business. An extensive pilot of the proposed scheme has been completed and, following evaluation, the new scheme will be launched during summer 2004. More information about the scheme and grant rates will be available at that time.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - SEERAD, Farm Business Advice and Skills team, 1.E, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY, Tel: 0131 244 6193, e-mail
farmbass@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme
This scheme exists to investigate the cause of death of any animals (wild animals, livestock or companion animals) in circumstances where pesticide poisoning may be implicated.
CONTACT & INFORMATION - Information and/or samples in relation to any suspected incidents should be given to the relevant SEERAD Area Office or directly to the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, Tel: Ken Hunter or Elizabeth Sharp on 0131 244 8874,
e-mail
ken.hunter@sasa.gsi.gov.uk or
elizabeth.sharp@sasa.gsi.gov.uk or visit
www.sasa.gov.uk/pesticide_wildlife/wiis/index.cfm
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