"Be a part of Scottish Water’s future" says utility

A major consultation encouraging customers to help shape the future of water services in Scotland between now and 2040 was launched today. Scottish Water is setting out plans to ensure it can continue providing high quality drinking water to all customers, protect and enhance the environment, support the economy, communities and invest in future water services across Scotland. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is encouraging everyone to have their say in the consultation. The consultation document identifies potential challenges and opportunities – such as climate change, population change and developments in science and technology – which could arise in the next 25 years. The utility wants to hear customers’ views on the extent to which it should prioritise taking steps to protect water supplies from service interruptions and reduce flooding. Customers are also asked about future charge levels and the extent to which they would like to see service improvements in return. Douglas Millican, Interim Chief Executive of Scottish Water, said: “Scottish Water is a success story. In 10 years we've transformed the delivery of water services in Scotland with improved customer service, the lowest average household charges in the UK, water quality at its highest ever level and operating costs reduced by 40%. “We provide significant investment every year which supports thousands of construction jobs across Scotland, as well as improving services for customers. “But we are not complacent and, through this major consultation, we want to hear whether customers think we have identified the right priorities to build on our successes in the years ahead. “We need to think now about the challenges and opportunities that may arise between now and 2040, as well as steps we might need to take to ensure water services and supplies are resilient and continue to be of the highest possible quality for all our customers – from Stranraer to Shetland.” One of Scottish Water’s proposals is to explore the development of new water connections between supply systems for larger communities. Mr Millican added: “We are developing plans to ensure water services in Scotland are ready for the future. This is absolutely essential so that we can continue providing high quality drinking water to customers, protect and enhance the environment, support the economy and communities and invest in future water services. “For example, we are exploring the development of new water connections as a possible way of ensuring we can supply all customers with water - wherever and whenever it is needed. While Scotland generally has plentiful supply of fresh drinking water, there can from time to time be challenges such as periods of dry weather in parts of the country. New connections could help us move water around more easily to where it is needed. “We also want to listen to customers’ views about future charge levels and the extent to which they would like to see service improvements in return. “By having their say now, customers can help us make the right decisions to shape the future of water services in Scotland.” Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s water is one of our prize assets and we are fortunate to have a beautiful water environment and, in Scottish Water, a highly successful public corporation.  “Our vision of Scotland as a hydro nation will play a key part in our plans to develop a low carbon economy, boost growth and create jobs. “How we manage this rich natural resource is incredibly important and we’d urge everyone to have their say in Scottish Water’s consultation.” Peter Peacock, Customer Forum Chair, said: “Water is an essential service that we all depend on and pay for. And in Scotland all of our public drinking water and sewerage services are provided by one utility, Scottish Water. That’s why it is absolutely vital that people have a say in how much it costs and what exactly they are paying for. I encourage everyone to get involved now to help Scottish Water ensure its plans for the future reflect what matters most to customers.” A dedicated consultation website has been launched with useful information for customers, interactive options and a video - HYPERLINK "http://www.scottishwater.co.uk/yourviewscount" www.scottishwater.co.uk/yourviewscount Alternatively customers can have their say by writing to: Freepost RTBT-EEXB-EJRT, Scottish Water, Daldowie Office, Uddingston, Glasgow, G71 7RX The consultation runs from November 14 until February 12, 2013, after which Scottish Water will review customer feedback to help shape its final strategic projections and business plan for 2015-20, which will be published in October 2013.

Argyll and Bute Council promises to improve support for looked after children

Argyll and Bute Council have reaffirmed their commitment to giving children and young people a fair chance in life. In signing a pledge to be a good corporate parent the council have underpinned their support of the ‘Who Cares? Scotland’ Anti-Stigma Campaign to improve the support provided for looked after children. The ‘We can and will do better’ event culminated in the signing of the council’s promise in the council chambers, Kilmory, by Council Leader Roddy McCuish and Chief Executive Sally Loudon. Corporate parenting is the formal partnership needed between all local authority departments and services and associated agencies which are responsible for working together to meet the needs of looked after children and young people. Council Leader Roddy McCuish said, “Our young people are the future of Argyll and Bute and committing to care for and support them is vital. With this nine point promise we aim to combat the myths associated with children and young people in care and to support children and young people in fulfilling their potential.” Chief Executive Sally Loudon said, “This was an opportunity for elected members and council officers to discuss and explore their role as a corporate parent. Discussions were helped hugely due to some of our looked after young people attending which was a great opportunity to hear from them about what would make a difference. “With the signing of this pledge we show we are committed as a council to explore further opportunities to listen to and support our young people.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 17 November – Friday 23 November 2012

Title: Scottish Premier League – Hearts v St Mirren The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hearts host St Mirren at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh. Transmitted: Saturday 17 November Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm Title: Alleluia Iain MacKinnon presents a mix of hymns, psalms and faith stories. Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir sing Psalm 27, Ishbel Ann Martin sings An Gràdh A Thug Thu Dhòmhsa and Hector Mackenzie talks about the role faith has played in his own life. Transmitted: Sunday 18 November Time: 7.30 – 8.00pm Title: Trusadh – Faslane @ 30 Faslane Peace Camp is a collection of caravans by the main road outside Helensburgh. It has been occupied as a permanent place of protest since 1982, just a stone's throw from HMNB Clyde - where the UK's nuclear arsenal is maintained. During the summer of 2012 the residents planned 30 Days of Action, to mark the camp's 30 year anniversary. Protests, picnics and politics abound as the campers make themselves heard afresh to the powers that be. The residents of the camp and affiliated groups have devoted their lives to raising the alarm on the Trident missile system, and want to use the 30 days to stoke the national debate on why it is there. But the Trident issue is not easily solved. Although the pro-Trident UK Government continues to back it, new tensions are arising with the devolved Scottish anti-nuclear administration. Faslane - 30 Years of Action is the story of a peace camp, its people and the politics that have entrenched the issue in the UK from WII to the present. Transmitted: Monday 19 November Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm Title: Cuide Ri Cathy – Michelle Collins Cathy MacDonald spends a hectic day with Coronation Street actress Michelle Collins in Manchester and Dublin. Transmitted: Monday 19 November Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Ceilidh @ Blas / Blas Music Festival 2012 Fourth in a series of music programmes from Blas 2012. Presented by Kathleen MacInnes and Fiona Dunn, this show features Breabach, the Battlefield Band and Linda MacLeod. Transmitted: Tuesday 20 November Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm Title: Eòrpa / European Current Affairs In this week's Eòrpa, the team report from Uist and Portugal. Transmitted: Wednesday 21 November Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm Title: Soillse – An Kuarup For the first time ever cameras have been given to the Yawalapiti, one of the most fascinating tribes of the Amazon Basin in Brazil. Under the guidance of their chief Pinakuman, these indigenous people went to great lengths to record their own images and to safeguard their culture and language, now only spoken by a handful of elders. This involves numerous rites, including the central ceremony of their culture: the Kuarup. Transmitted: Wednesday 21 November Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm Title: Air an Rathad / On The Road One super fast sports car - the Lotus Exige S – plus one super excited presenter - Calum Iain: mix them together and you have Mr Mackenzie giving it welly round the Lotus test track, breaking the previous Air an Rathad top speed by miles! While Calum Iain gets a tour of the Lotus factory in Norfolk, Murray is taking a wee run around Ballater on Royal Deeside in the World Car of the Year, the VW Up. Cudig shares another classic car choice and Calum Iain is in complete agreement - but what is it? You'll have to tune in to find out! And we're back on the Wacky Race track for more fun and games with cars long past their sell by dates….. Transmitted: Thursday 22 November Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: PRO12 Live Rugby – Glasgow v Leinster Live rugby action in the RaboDirect PRO12 competition as Glasgow and Leinster meet at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow. Transmitted: Friday 23 November Time: 7.30 – 9.25pm

Argyll and Bute Council youth employment summit reinforces importance of partnerships

The Corran Halls in Oban were the venue on Monday 5 November for a national summit on youth employment. Angela Constance MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Youth Employment was the keynote speaker at the event, which highlighted a new youth employment strategy developed by Argyll and Bute Council. Key business people from Argyll and Bute, community planning partners, further and higher education representatives, training providers, elected members from council and government and young people from the area attended the event, along with delegates from other rural authorities. More than 30 organisations and businesses were represented at the event, which attracted 175 national and local delegates. An introduction was given by Councillor Louise Glen Lee, Lead Councillor for Community, Culture, Customer and Communication, and the event was chaired by Sam Coley, a young entrepreneur from Dunoon. Councillor Glen Lee highlighted the problem-solving partnerships which are in place to support our young people, and the four key elements of the local strategy for youth employment in Argyll and Bute – empowering people, supporting employers, simplifying the skills system and strengthening partnership and collective responsibility. The aim of the strategy is to meet the Scottish Government’s ‘Opportunities for All’ policy, which makes a commitment to offering a place in learning or training for every 16-19 year old not currently in employment, education or training. The Argyll and Bute Skills Pipeline and Action Plan has been created to map the paths to resolving the barriers which face young people and employers in achieving that. The Summit’s keynote address was delivered by Angela Constance MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Youth Employment, who outlined the Government’s commitment to finding solutions to the barriers to employment or training faced by some young people. Ms Constance said that youth unemployment had been aggravated by the recent economic situation - lack of growth in commerce and industry, and competition from older experienced people for jobs, and pointed out that public bodies can lead by example and are playing a crucial role, even in the current circumstances. Cleland Sneddon, Argyll and Bute Council’s Executive Director for Community Services spoke about the need to overcome the challenges facing an average of 100 of Argyll and Bute’s young people at any one time, who have been unable to engage with education, training or employment. He emphasised the importance of the curriculum for excellence in developing young people’s skills for life, learning and work and highlighted the successes of schools and their partners in Argyll and Bute in offering alternative qualifications as well as SQA qualifications. Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning welcomed the presence of the proactive employers attending the meeting, which was then addressed by Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment. Mr Lochhead stated that the youth employment debate is taking place across Scotland, and that the rural dimension to that debate is very important. He pointed out that the food and drink sector, which is a very strong sector in Argyll and Bute, is the best performing sector in Scotland today, and may rival the oil and gas industry in future years. A series of workshops were convened with the aim of developing a set of actions to take forward from the event. A question and answer session followed, with an expert panel which included Richard Lochhead MSP, Angela Constance MSP, Cllr Michael Breslin – Lead Councillor for Education, Anthony Standing Head of Regional Operations (North) with Skills Development Scotland, and Sam Coley, responding to questions which resulted from the workshops and from delegates generally. Commenting on the success of the event Councillor Michael Breslin, Lead Councillor for Education, said ‘It was good to see so many young people, public bodies, national policy-makers and local businesses coming along and taking the opportunity to share their knowledge and work together to help overcome the challenges facing our young people today.’ The Summit closed with a commitment from Government, Argyll and Bute Council and local businesses to work creatively together to help provide access to opportunity for every young person in the area. For more information on the event and feedback from the workshops log on to http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/youth-employment

SSE AND UNIVERSITY OF HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

- SSE Chief Executive Ian Marchant sets out commitment to Highland jobs and skills - SSE could invest over £5bn in the Highlands and Islands in the next 10 years SSE and the University of Highlands and Islands have today signed a ‘partnership agreement’ to collaborate and work together to maximise the benefits to the people of the Highlands and Islands from the low carbon energy revolution in the Highlands and Islands. Speaking at the University’s Research and Development conference Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE - Scotland’s leading renewable energy generator and developer – will also set out a range of commitments to support this, including a new apprenticeship programme and a commitment to target local areas around proposed new developments for the recruitment and training of future employees, particularly in Caithness and Sutherland and in the Great Glen. There is significant investment planned by the energy industry over the next ten years. SSE’s contribution to this could potentially be £5-10bn in the Highlands and Islands alone, across its energy networks, renewable generation and energy services businesses. Both SSE and the University recognise the importance of collaboration to ensure the skills and people are in place to take advantage of this opportunity. The partnership agreement establishes a new steering group to oversee this collaboration between SSE and the University and to ensure local businesses and communities are also engaged. Key areas for collaboration and opportunity exist both in creating the right training infrastructure and in promoting innovation and research. The partnership will build on the £3m that SSE has already committed to training and skills in the Highlands. SSE Chief Executive Ian Marchant said: “We recognise that the communities in which we work and operate are very important and that SSE has a valuable role in contributing to the local economy of these communities. SSE is committed to making sure that Highland businesses and communities benefit from, and have a real part in, what we believe is a very exciting time for the Highlands. “Quite rightly the people in the Great Glen or Caithness and Sutherland ask the question – ‘can our young people be trained and employed to run your existing and future power stations and wind farms?’ The answer to that from me, is an emphatic yes! Should our projects currently in the planning system gain planning approval, we make this commitment – SSE will target areas such as Lairg and the wider Sutherland area, Fort Augustus and the Great Glen, and work with the schools and colleges in these areas to bring young people into our industry and train them so that they get the best chance of long term employment. "This new strategic partnership between SSE and the University of the Highlands and Islands will play a significant part in ensuring this happens. There is no doubt that this new University with its diverse range of colleges and research centres spread across the region will play a key role in providing the skills, training and expertise we need in future. “SSE already employs over 2,000 direct employees and contractors in the Highlands, operating our power stations electricity networks, retail outlets and in our growing energy services business. We are determined to see the benefit of renewable energy continue to flow into these same communities and to enable a new generation of local people to connect with and find employment from Energy.” Welcoming the partnership, University of the Highlands and Islands Principal and Vice-Chancellor, James Fraser said: “The University is delighted to sign this collaborative agreement with SSE. The University partnership of 13 colleges and research centres is unique in encompassing both further and higher education and in covering the whole of the Highlands and Islands, including Moray, Perth and Kinross. “SSE and its supply chain need highly trained staff. We can help deliver these skills through our collective expertise in further education and knowledge from higher education. The University is ready to play a key role in supporting the transformation of the Highlands and Islands economy through the development of the renewable energy industry, the electricity grid and the continued progress of oil and gas.” “It is very fitting to announce this collaborative venture at our annual Research Conference. In addition to teaching and training in the longer term we expect to provide research and consultancy to SSE as it tackles some of the new challenges posed by the new energy industry.”

HIAL AIRPORTS GET READY FOR WINTER

Scottish airports operator HIAL has launched its winter operation plan which aims to ensure passengers across its network of 11 airports keep flying this winter. The company has invested £400,000 on snow clearing equipment and a new de-icer storage facility at Inverness, and is also taking part, for a second winter, in a CAA trial aimed at accurately reporting runway surface conditions. HIAL is also using a forecasting tool provided by the UK Met Office which more precisely predicts weather conditions at those airports that have been most severely affected by snow and ice in recent years - Inverness, Stornoway, Wick John O’Groats, Kirkwall and Sumburgh. The more accurate forecasting tool will improve the effectiveness of de-icing operations, reduce wastage and the overall cost of winter operations. Mark Stuart, Operations Director at HIAL said: “In recent years, the UK has experienced winter weather conditions more akin to the Arctic, with sub zero temperatures and extremes of weather that have tested the transport system to its limits. With Scotland often bearing the brunt, HIAL has a responsibility to ensure that we keep passengers flying, even in the harshest conditions.” Responsibility for winter operations rests with the Airport Fire Service. Staff have been undergoing extensive training, rehearsing winter operational scenarios and readying essential equipment for the onset of winter. HIAL’s winter operational plan was inspired by the experience of airports in Norway, which are well used to extreme winter conditions. HIAL’s Chief Fire Office George Farquhar said: “The winter months are a particular challenge for HIAL given the diverse nature of our group, and the fact that our airports are spread over a vast geographical area, many of them in remote areas. Nevertheless, we have worked hard to ensure our teams are prepared for the worst extremes of winter and we have invested heavily in additional equipment and training, and new forecasting techniques in order to ensure airports continue to operate during severe weather.” Passengers can receive winter flight updates on the HIAL website – www.hial.co.uk.

FIOLMADAIREAN ÙRA A’ CUR GLEUS AIR FILMG - ROINN ÙR SAN FHARPAIS A’ SIREADH BHIDIOTHAN CIÙIL

Tha FilmG 2012/2013 air leth toilichte foillseachadh a dhèanamh air com-pàirteachas ùr, brìoghmhor eadar a’ phròiseact is Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus Watercolour Music, a chuireas gu mòr ri roinn ùr, tharraingeach ann am farpais na bliadhna-sa. Airson a’ chiad uair tha FilmG a’ sireadh bhidiothan ciùil airson òrain Ghàidhlig a tha air a bhith air an ùr-sgrìobhadh agus air an seinn le tàlant òg. Tha an seinneadair-sgrìobhaiche òran Alasdair Whyte, còmhla ris an stiùidio chliùiteach Ghàidhealach Watercolour Music, air ceithir dhe na h-òrain aig Alasdair fhèin a thabhann dhan phròiseact airson an roinn-farpais seo. Tha na h-òrain sin air ‘Las’, a’ chiad chlàr aig Alasdair, a chaidh a riochdachadh le Nick Turner is Màiri Anna NicUalraig aig Watercolour ann an Àird Ghobhar, Loch Abar. Tha an clàr ùr, fo bhratach Watercolour, air moladh sònraichte a chosnadh mar-tha ’s an stuth air fhaicinn mar mòr-thabhartas do sgrìobhadh-òran Gàidhlig. A bharrachd air an sin, tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus Watercolour air cead a thoirt do FilmG agus fiolmadairean cothrom fhaighinn air An Taigh Òran, pròiseact sgrìobhadh-òran ùr-ghnàthaichte a stèidhich Fèisean nan Gàidheal le Stòras Watercolour, companaidh a chaidh a chur air chois, chan ann airson prothaid, le stiùirichean an stiùidio, airson tàlant ciùil Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh. Thàinig ochd òrain ùra a-mach às a’ phròiseact seo, a’ toirt cothrom do bhuidheann òg stiùireadh is comhairle fhaighinn bho sheinneadairean is luchd-ciùil a tha air cliù a chosnadh mar-tha sa ghnìomhachas, leithid Alasdair Whyte, agus na h-òrain ùra a chlàradh. Thèid cuireadh a thoirt do neach sam bith aig a bheil ùidh ann an bhidio-ciùil a dhèanamh do FilmG, pàirt a ghabhail ann am bùthan-obrach trèanaidh, agus coinneachadh ri Alasdair agus na seinneadairean-sgrìobhaichean eile - Caitlin NicNèill, Ceitidh Nic a’ Ghobhainn, Emma Leitch and Robbie MacLeòid. Thèid a’ bhidio a choisinneas a’ phrìomh dhuais san roinn a shealltainn aig cuirm nan duaisean sa Mhàrt 2013, far an tèid uidheamachd fiolmaidh is gearraidh luach £1000 a bhuileachadh air stiùiriche/riochdaire a’ bhidio. Chaidh FilmG a chur air bhonn le MG ALBA ann an 2008. Thuirt Dòmhnall Caimbeul Àrd-oifigear MG ALBA: “Tha am com-pàirteachas ùr seo a’ gealltainn pòsadh tarraingeach de cheòl ùr ‘s de thàlant mheadhanan, agus tha sinn air leth taingeil airson a’ chothrom a tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus Watercolour air a thabhann dhuinn. ’S e leasachadh sònraichte a tha seo do FilmG agus tha sinn a’ dèanamh fiughair ri na bhidiothan-ciùil fhaicinn an ath bhliadhna.” Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Bha sinn fìor thoilichte an fheum as fheàrr a dhèanamh den taic-airgid aig IGE, Alba Chruthachail agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig airson òrain ùra Ghàidhlig a chruthachadh ann am com-pàirteachas le Stòras Watercolour. Tha sinn air leth toilichte gu bheil na h-òrain bhon Taigh Òran a’ faighinn leasachadh bhidiothan-ciùil tro FilmG, a’ toirt beatha a bharrachd dhan stuth às dèidh na pròiseact fhèin, agus a’ toirt foillseachadh air a bheil fìor fheum do chruth-ealain a tha airidh air barrachd meas na tha e a’ faighinn.” A rèir Mhairi Ann NicUalraig bho Stòras Watercolour, "Tha a bhith a’ lorg ’s a bhith ag obair le tàlant ùr, cruthachail mar Alasdair daonnan fìor thaitneach, agus bha am brosnachadh a b’ urrainn dhuinn a thoirt do sgrìobhaichean ùra anns an Taigh Òran glè shàsachail cuideachd, gu h-àraidh on a bha sin a’ daingneachadh ceanglaichean làidir le buidheann mar FnG a tha air an aon ràmh bheachdan rinn fhìn. Tha e tarraingeach dha-rìribh a bhith a’ cuideachadh gus seo a thoirt ceum eile agus a’ tabhann cothrom do fhiolmadairean òga. Tha sinn air bhioran gus am faic sinn a’ bhuil."

STARTING GUN FIRED ON NFUS ELECTION RACE

Nominations are now being sought for the position of President and the two Vice Presidential positions at NFU Scotland. Any NFUS member can be nominated for election, providing they are proposed and seconded by fellow NFUS members. The Presidential position is held for two years while Vice Presidents are elected annually. Members of NFU Scotland’s council – a body made up from representatives of each of the Union’s 71 branches - will then select the successful candidates at a meeting of NFUS Council on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews. The council meeting follows the start of the Union’s Centenary celebrations with the AGM and Annual Dinner being held in the same venue the previous day (Monday, 11 February). Those wishing to stand for these positions should contact NFUS Chief Executive Scott Walker to obtain a proposal form, which must then be signed and returned to him by close of play on Monday, 17 December 2012. NFU Scotland CEO Scott Walker said: “I believe the prospect of serving and representing fellow Scottish farmers is as attractive now as it was 100 years ago. The job of filling our Presidential seat for the coming two years and the two Vice-Presidential posts for the next year is now underway and we invite applications from those keen to help shape our farming industry. “This is a hugely exciting time for the Union and the industry as we mark 100 years of representing Scottish farmers, growers and crofters. A year-long programme of events to mark our Centenary is coming together and a number of initiatives are being prepared to ensure our celebrations leave a lasting legacy. “On a policy front, the number of challenges faced by all our members seems to grow year-on-year and we have a robust organisation in place to tackle these. However, the prospect of holding office and helping to negotiate and secure the right CAP Reform deal for Scotland and shape our new Rural Development programme is moth-watering.”

SCOTS MUST PLAN FOR SCHMALLENBERG RISK

The growing number of animals infected with the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has prompted NFU Scotland to re-issue its call for farmer vigilance. Exposure to SBV can result in relatively mild conditions in cattle and sheep but where infection takes place during the early stage of pregnancy; it can result in congenital disorders of lambs and calves, stillbirths and abortions. Spread by midges, it was first identified as a new virus on German and Dutch farms last year and spread throughout parts of Europe and southern England. Results from surveillance across GB indicate much wider evidence of spread of SBV and positive animals have been found in Scotland and the North of England. Last week, saw positive cases in Northern and Southern Ireland. NFU Scotland, in partnership with Scottish Government, Moredun, SAC and Biobest, has put in place a scheme to help monitor the possible spread of SBV into Scotland from animals brought in from risk areas. The NFUS testing scheme, which covers the laboratory cost of the first four tests from farms, will remain open until 1 December 2012. NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller said: “SBV is not a notifiable disease and although we have helped to put some surveillance in place, it is far from extensive. I think we have to prepare for the fact that the picture in Scotland can be expected to be worse that the tests reveal. “Although there is no evidence of acute disease in Scotland, post-movement testing shows animals have moved into Scotland that have previously been exposed to the disease. Testing has been limited but finding a number of positive animals in Scotland highlights the probability that greater numbers of animals that have been exposed to the disease have been brought in. “That increases the possibility that infectious animals may be amongst those imports. If SBV has moved into Scotland, the impact will depend on where the disease is, when it arrived and the temperature limits at which the disease can replicate within midges - all questions that we currently cannot answer. “The end of October and start of November traditionally heralds the arrival of the low vector (midge) activity season offering protection to those animals put to the bull or tup from late October onwards. Those breeders that were not able to delay breeding into the low vector season should consider the possible risk that animals may have been affected by SBV during the crucial stage of early pregnancy and, with their vet, consider what actions they may need to take. “Any keepers who have brought animals in from England or Wales should consider testing those animals to ascertain the potential risk. The NFUS testing scheme to cover the lab cost of the first four tests will remain open until 1 December. “Looking further ahead, SBV successfully over-wintered from 2011 to 2012 and if the same happens this winter, then there could be a threat to naïve stock during 2013. The risk for 2013 will depend on winter temperatures, the ability of the virus to transmit vertically from dam to foetus and the effect of summer temperatures on spread. “A vaccine may be available for 2013, and keepers concerned about the risks for 2013 should keep up to date with the vaccine development and discuss the available options with their vet. “At the end of November, NFUS will be rolling out a programme of events for livestock producers and an update on Schmallenberg will be part of the programme at these events.”

NFUS says "LOCAL DRAFF SUPPLY ISSUE CAN BE ADDRESSED "

A report into the future availability and value of distillery co-products to the Scottish livestock sector has shown that short and long-term issues are having an impact on supplies at a local level. NFU Scotland had previously written to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead to voice membership concerns that at a significant number of Scottish distilleries and associated sites, bioenergy plants are in place or are planned. These use, or will use products from the distilling process to generate energy rather than be available as a valued livestock feed. Of more immediate concern to some producers close to distillery sites is that market demand is seeing locally produced product moving significant distances to other farmers, leaving local supplies tight. A report on Distillery by-products, prepared by SAC Consulting was discussed at a special meeting of the Agriculture and Climate Change stakeholders in Edinburgh this afternoon (2 November). The report recognised the importance of by-products, such as draff, as a feed and its importance to livestock farmers. It acknowledged that nationally supplies are likely to be plentiful in the future but that around certain plants, supply and demand requires better co-ordination. NFU Scotland President, Nigel Miller said: “Distillery by-products are a valuable feed source to livestock farmers around Scotland but particularly in the North East, Highlands and Islands. It is vital to the future of livestock production that we retain the advantages of having quality by-products from our growing drinks sector. “The availability of a local source of quality energy and protein feed underpins the production of Scotch beef in many areas and this traditional collaboration between local distilleries and the farming community has added real value to the rural economy. “However, demand is always open to fluctuations and systems within the whisky and distilling industries are changing fast. This report makes a valuable contribution to that debate. “We need to work with Scottish Government, distilleries, merchants and affected members to see what measures can be put in place to mitigate any local disruption to supplies of these valuable feed sources and secure adequate supplies in the future. That may involve farmers working together to co-ordinate buying, helping availability to better match demand, particularly during the peaks and troughs. “Having suitable on-farm storage for distillery by-products may also assist but that may require investment on farm. Ensuring that investment in such stores qualify for support through the Rural Priorities scheme could help keep these valuable feed supply chains open.”