The announcement of new support for businesses in light of non-domestic rate valuations has been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates (SL&E).

Katy Dickson, Senior Policy Officer at SL&E, said: "SL&E has been alarmed at the significant rates increases and the impact the revaluations will have on rural businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector and for hydro-electric schemes. The announcement on Tuesday will allow many businesses to plan more positively for the year ahead and the cap announced by the Cabinet Secretary for hotels, cafes, restaurants and pubs comes as a huge relief to the industry.

"We are pleased the increase cap will also be applied to small-scale hydro schemes. Many members had contacted us to say their schemes could simply not operate with the proposed rates burden, and we are happy the relief for new hydro schemes will be continued and the eligibility threshold for a scheme to receive community renewables relief is to be reduced. Members have invested heavily in renewable energy which is playing a significant part in meeting the Scottish Government's ambitious renewables and climate change targets. The proposed rate increases put this investment at risk.

"However, there is still much work to be done with the assessors during the six-month appeal window from when the revaluation notices are delivered. We also continue to engage with the assessors and Scottish Government on the reintroduction of sporting rates. That is the final major rates concern for our members and we look forward to the impacts being examined by a parliamentary committee in the near future."

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 104 pedigree Charolais bulls at Stirling on Tuesday to a top of 25,000gns for one from AG Houston, Gretna House and an average of £6121 (up £62 on the year for a 76 per cent clearance).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 13 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1380.60 per head and 235p per kg to average £1266.79 and 221.9p, while a Galloway bullock fetched £1101.10 or 182p.

In the rough ring 30 beef cows sold to £1140 and 149.7p to average 125.6p, while 94 dairy cows peaked at £1060 and 128p to level at 98.4p. Five bulls sold to £1220 and 122.6p to average 112.1p.

A much plainer show of 12 dairy cattle sold to £1550 for a second-calved Holstein Friesian to average £1249.

Wallets Marts sold 1028 prime hoggs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £85 per head and 187.5p per kg to average 162.9p (-6p on the week).

The firm also had 435 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £86 for Suffolk crosses and £52.50 for Blackfaces.