Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has confirmed that the Scottish Government will provide around £65,000 for the next six months to cover the cost of milk tankers returning empty on ferries to Bute from the mainland.
The move comes in the wake of the decision by the farmer-owned co-op First Milk to further reduce the price of milk paid to its members on Bute.
Mr Lochhead said: "The recent announcement from First Milk that they will pay farmers on Bute a lower price for their milk is concerning and clearly highlights the extra challenges the dairy sector faces on this island."
Welcoming the announcement NFU Scotland policy manager John Armour commented: "It will come as a disappointment to the hard-working dairy farmers on Gigha and First Milk that they have not been included in the Scottish Government's funding package. Milk tanker haulage for Gigha's producers, which supplies First Milk's Campbeltown creamery, is to remain unsupported and we struggle to see the justification for that.
"Milk tankers are designed for the sole purpose of hauling milk and would travel onto any island empty to lift milk. If Scottish Government accepts the principle of supporting empty tankers travelling on to Bute, it should also apply to Gigha and that merits further discussions."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 227 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 275.1p per kg and an average of 223.8p (+1.8p on the week), while 266 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 266.9p and levelled at 228.5p (-6p). Sixty store, B&W bullocks sold to 199.3p and averaged 168.8p (+4.5p).
In the rough ring 85 cows averaged 124.8p.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 24 prime heifers inn Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 228.5p and an average of 196.5p.
There were 58 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 128.4p and dairy cows levelled at 107.2p.
The firm also sold 114 prime hoggs to a top of £95.50 per head and 166p per kg to average 153.9p ((+4.3p), while 137 prime lambs peaked at £80.50 and 210p to level at 192.5p (+0.3p).
The 136 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £134.50 for a Charollais and light ewes peak at £77.50 for Blackfaces.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 50 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £76.50 and 154.2p to average 132p (no change), while 397 prime lambs peaked at £85 and 211.3p to level at 175p (-5.2p).
There were also 176 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £116 for Suffolks and £78.50 for Blackfaces.
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