Agriculture Stakeholder Teleconference

Fuel
Diesel – it was accepted that supplies from terminals are available, challenge is with local distribution.

Heating Oil – there have been supply shortages, but alleviated in Inverness and Aberdeen with deliveries on 20 Dec. Again challenge is with local distribution.

There may be an overall problem with people placing multiple orders in an effort to get supplies. Once an order has been received, cancellation of other orders should be reducing the quoted waiting times (currently up to 4 weeks).

There was suggestion for greater use of collection points and for information regards their availability and -where necessary- to ensure snow clearing of lay-bys / sites etc for these.

Action Points:
• Fuel collection points are operating well in various locations. SG should make public aware of this. [Post meeting note: Where customers are unaware of the availability of collection points they should contact their regular or most recent fuel distributors and enquire where a local collection point option is already available or where it would be possible. Exploring with SG Press Office the issue of raising awareness of collection points]
• Collection points need lay-bys clear of snow to operate effectively. [Post meeting note: Fuel distributors should highlight to SG (or the relevant SCGs) where snow clearing at collection points is necessary. SCGs will liaise with relevant local services to ensure clearing]• Prioritisation of supplies to vulnerable people: If not able to source fuel from alternative suppliers including local garage, a neighbour, machinery ring or NFUS, the point of contact is Local Authorities' Social Services and also NHS24. This information will then be fed back to suppliers.

Animal Feed
Currently no reported shortage on farms but often difficult to get the feed out to stock. Main concern stems from the cost of bulk feed (hay, straw) mainly due to the lack of reserves. There was very little carried forward from last season, and a bad harvest in NE Scotland. There is a reasonable supply of straw, price not going to reduce due to supply and demand. There is very little SG can do as they are 'free markets'.

Looking ahead, possible problems in March especially if spring is delayed. SG need a strategy to cope with feed supply position and overwintering guidance is required.

Action Points:
• May need farmers to evaluate feed stock to help SG look at options and advice in terms of any forward plan for March/April.
• SG Officials meeting on 22 December to begin initial exploration of options and best form of advice.

Drivers Hours
Derogation finishes midnight Christmas Eve, SG agreed to look at whether a further temporary relaxation of EU Drivers Hours will be required on 25th and 26th of December. If case needs to be made to EU after 30 days of the temporary relaxation it will be 1 January – which is a public holiday – this should not hold up any further request for a relaxation of EU Drivers Hours. SG will liaise with transport colleagues.

People are stocking up as much as possible, the weather should hopefully improve in the New Year.

Action Points:
• Liaise with poultry industry whether feed is being delivered over 25/26 December.

• Animal Health & Welfare Division to work with Transport colleagues regarding an application for derogation of drivers hours to EU, if required by beginning of January.

Cross Compliance – RPID inspections
RPID do take account of weather and the risks that are present. Where risks have been identified inspections can be completed at a later date.

Cleansing and Disinfection of Markets & Vehicles
It is appreciated that there are problems in reaching minimum standards in sub-zero temperatures. However, viruses e.g. Foot and Mouth Disease, can still spread in this environment.

Industry and auctioneers need to work together to keep things moving. Auctioneers agree that Animal Health have been very pragmatic.

Although livestock numbers through the market have been reduced, there is still a need to keep stock moving to slaughter.

Action Point:
• Communication required that cleansing and disinfection still needs to be completed, people cannot give up due to bad weather. Local Authorities and Animal Health are looking at individual situations and dealing with the risk appropriately.

Animal Health and Welfare Division
Scottish Government

21 December 2010