Long term alternative to abolishing bull hire scheme must be found - McArthur

12.01.26am GMT Tue 10th Feb 2009

Commenting on the announcement of an independent review group to look into the future of the bull hire scheme, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"Liberal Democrats have been working closely with other political parties and crofting representatives to persuade the Scottish Government to rethink their plan to abolish the bull hire scheme. I am pleased that the Minister has taken this criticism on board and has agreed to continue the scheme for a further year.

"My hope is that the review group will draw together expertise from across the crofting counties in the interests of ensuring livestock health, quality and numbers in some of our remoter areas can be effectively safeguarded.

"Ideas about how to achieve this are already being developed and I'm confident that a workable, long term alternative to abolishing the bull hire scheme can be found."