A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of the problems faced by farmers with dyslexia was launched this week by the National Farmers Union Scotland.
In recent months, the union has been working alongside a farming member with dyslexia who has experienced difficulties in coping with all the red tape associated with the industry, not least the forms regularly issued by the Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Inspection Directorate.
As a result of this ongoing effort, in tandem with Dyslexia Scotland, ScotGov and Scotland's rural college SRUC, there is now better recognition that dyslexia can cause significant disadvantage for farmers and crofters in their dealings with officialdom.
It is estimated that at least 10 per cent of the population are likely to be dyslexic. However, in the farming community, this percentage could be far higher. SRUC itself has confirmed that 25 per cent of its agriculture students are dyslexic.
NFU Scotland has now written to Scotland's Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan, and also raised the issue with Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead, and the Scottish Parliament's Dyslexia Cross-Party Group Convener, Margaret Mitchell.
Union president Nigel Miller said: "We have opened discussions with Dyslexia Scotland, SRUC and SGRPID and are pleased that all have responded positively. In particular, the suggestion from Roy McLachlan, deputy chief agricultural officer, to consider setting up a 'Farming with Dyslexia' working group is warmly welcomed.
"One of our main aims is to try and remove the stigma that many people with dyslexia feel about their condition. Dyslexia is a disability recognised under the Equalities Act 2010, which came into law in Scotland on 27 May 2012.
"We believe that in order to ensure farmers and crofters who have dyslexia are better supported, SGRPID must make stronger efforts to adhere to the key principles of the Equality Act and accommodate the needs of their dyslexic customers," said Mr Miller. "We are keen to hear from our members with dyslexia, or indeed family members," he added.
"We would ask them to come forward, in confidence, to share their experiences with a view to driving positive change for the future for the many Scottish farmers with dyslexia and their families.
"This is the time to address the issue before the next generation of farmers with dyslexia graduate from college, where they have received good and appropriate support, only to be faced by all the associated form filling and paperwork of modern day farming.
"We must ensure that our support and regulatory regimes do not inadvertently disadvantage them."
l For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday's issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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