March 6, 2008

Scotland reports declining livestock numbers

Scotland's chief statistician reported yesterday that livestock trends from December 2006 to December 2007 indicate a 2.4-percent decrease in cattle, while pig numbers decreased by 4.2 percent.

The number of cattle fell from 1.87 million to 1.83 million, sheep numbers decreased from 5.2 million to 5.1 million and pig numbers declined from 470,000 to 450,000.

Observers said that some farmers are getting out of the industry due to low prices and escalating input costs.

James Withers, acting chief executive of National Farmer's Union (NFU) of Scotland, said that this could cast a lasting effect on the Scottish red meat industry.

A recent survey by Highlands & Islands Enterprise showed a 20-percent drop in breeding sheep numbers in Argyll alone.

Withers pointed that this is not merely an issue of downsizing, but people getting out of the industry altogether.

John Scott MSP, shadow cabinet secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said that there is a need to sustain the infrastructure around livestock production such as abattoirs to start addressing the problem of red and white meat sectors in Scotland.