I relay a message from Teresa Dougall from Scottish Land & Estates, which needs no explanation:
Gregor Caldwell of the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) Ayr office telephoned this morning asking us for help with the emergency situation in Arran and Argyll. This request has come direct from Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and Drew Sloan, Chief Agricultural Officer. As you will by now have seen on the national and regional news, drifting snow on Arran and Argyll has cut off sheep and farmers are unable to access the hills.
Although some Local Authority roads are now open, there are real access problems to farms and hills. The local farmers have identified a need for ATV tracked vehicles and possibly snow bikes to take feeding out to stranded animals on hills but all of the available machines seem to be in service with the power companies.
A Scottish Government stakeholder group is to be convened from Edinburgh and Scottish Land & Estates will have an involvement in this – this will be to consider the details, logistics and costs of the operation. But, in the meantime, we need to identify members with available vehicles at short notice to help.
If you have an available vehicle, please email me on Teresa.dougall@scottishlandandestates.co.uk as soon as possible or telephone 01292 267074.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
Kind regards
Teresa
Although some Local Authority roads are now open, there are real access problems to farms and hills. The local farmers have identified a need for ATV tracked vehicles and possibly snow bikes to take feeding out to stranded animals on hills but all of the available machines seem to be in service with the power companies.
A Scottish Government stakeholder group is to be convened from Edinburgh and Scottish Land & Estates will have an involvement in this – this will be to consider the details, logistics and costs of the operation. But, in the meantime, we need to identify members with available vehicles at short notice to help.
If you have an available vehicle, please email me on Teresa.dougall@scottishlandandestates.co.uk as soon as possible or telephone 01292 267074.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
Kind regards
Teresa
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