NFU Scotland launched proposals yesterday to halt the exodus of cattle and sheep from Scotland's hills and uplands. The union's Manifesto for the Hills represents a three-part package of policy options that focuses on better use of public funds.

NFU Scotland launched proposals yesterday to halt the exodus of cattle and sheep from Scotland's hills and uplands. The union's Manifesto for the Hills represents a three-part package of policy options that focuses on better use of public funds.

The union chose Archie Slimon's farm at Breakachy, Laggan, near Newtonmore, as the venue for the launch.

The farm lies between 800 and 3000 feet above sea level and comprises nearly 8000 hectares, of which 860 are owned and the rest rented. It receives 65 inches of rain per annum.

The unit is home to 1100 breeding ewes and 76 beef cows, and Slimon is losing around £13 per ewe and £110 per cow. That performance is better than average and highlights the problems that Scotland's hill farmers are facing.

NFUS has been receiving reports from its members who are either selling up their stock, or planning to, in the face of spiralling feed, fuel and fertiliser costs and a market price that has consistently failed to reflect these costs of production.

A recent report by the Scottish Agricultural College - Farming's Retreat from the Hills - reported a 23% drop in sheep numbers in the last 10 years and an 11.7% reduction in the beef breeding herd over the same period.

However, these figures mask huge regional variations, with some parts of the north and west of the country seeing reductions in sheep numbers of between 35% and 60%.

The union's manifesto stresses that the industry must help itself by focusing on continued improvements in marketing, collaboration, genetics and technical efficiencies. Likewise, improved relationships in the supply chain are critical. However, none of these alone will address the financial crisis in the hills and the union believes new policies from the Scottish Government are required.

According to the NFUS, while there is no single policy solution to the problems, constructed as a package, three elements could protect the future of livestock production in the hills and uplands: a re-modelled less-favoured areas support scheme, focused on targeting funding at active production; a revitalised list of Land Managers Options under the non-competitive element of the Scottish Rural Development Plan; a retention of the Beef Calf Scheme.

Speaking at the manifesto launch, NFUS president Jim McLaren said: "We are currently witnessing an exodus of livestock and people from our hills and uplands, unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime. We can either let this happen and consider it the unfortunate consequence of market forces, or we can recognise the huge social, environmental and economic benefits delivered by agricultural activity in our more fragile areas, and intervene."

"Our manifesto is not a call for new public funds; it focuses on better use of existing funds."

Scotbeef acquires GD Vivers SCOTBEEF has announced that it has acquired the business of GD Vivers, with its slaughter line capable of killing 12,000 lambs a week.

Based at Dornock, near Annan in Dumfriesshire, the Vivers business will now operate through Vivers Scotland Limited, which will be a sister company of Scotbeef.

Ian Galloway, chairman of Scotbeef, told The Herald: "This will give confidence to and strengthen the long- established links both companies have with Scottish sheep and cattle producers, and extend the marketing opportunities for Scottish lamb and beef to a wider UK and European market.

"The merger will give us greater efficiencies with distribution."