LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT
Poaching cases fall thanks to ‘watcher’
In 2008, like many parts of the west coast of Scotland, the Morvern Deer Management Group (MDMG) area suffered a sudden increase in poaching. While co-ordinating a local response involving the police and neighbouring estates, the group was made aware of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime initiative through the auspices of the SRPBA. SRPBA Highland Regional Manager Drew Macfarlane-Slack was invited to attend their biannual meeting in May 2009 and shortly thereafter a successful application for funding was submitted to the scheme administrator, Scottish Natural Heritage.
The grant is for two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension, and is sufficient to allow the group to employ a watcher from the end of the stags until the end of the hinds. The grant covers wages and related costs, with in-kind contributions from
Coalition agreement on capital gains tax
The SRPBA wishes to draw the attention of members to the agreement between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Parties and, especially, to comments on taxation.
member estates making up the 50 per cent matched funding. MDMG is required to liaise closely with the local police and community and to promote the work of PAW through signage and public notices. A watcher was in post for the 2009/10 season and there were no confirmed cases of poaching. Several false alarms were investigated, most of which were reported by members of the public who had been made aware of the project. MDMG would like to think that the presence of a dedicated watcher acted as an effective deterrent to poachers. Kurt Larson, SRPBA Highland Region committee member and
Kingairloch Estate representative to the Morvern Deer Management Group, added: “This turned into a community-wide high profile project. “Thanks are due to all who were involved from the SRBPA, SNH, local police, right down to concerned local residents here on the Morvern Peninsula. We identified a problem, got some help, and did something about it, with results clearly demonstrated.”
Anyone who would like to know more about this project should contact Alan Kennedy, Secretary, MDMG, on 01967 421288 or
alankennedy@ardtornish.co.uk
The proposed capital gains tax rise is likely to be a particular issue for members but, since this is a somewhat hastily drafted statement of agreement between the two parties, members will need to consider their own position with their advisers as appropriate, taking into account values, timings and other relevant facts. We will keep members informed of developments. Our business breakfast at
the Royal Highland Show will provide information on the 22 June 2010 Budget. For further details see page 26.
Minimum wage increases
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) has voted to increase the main minimum pay rate for most agricultural workers by 3 per cent from October 2010. The rate for temporary workers (up to 26 weeks) is due to rise by 2.8 per cent.
The SRPBA, representing employers’ interests, argued against this level of increase as unaffordable given the current economic conditions in the farming sector and elsewhere. However, the newly appointed independent members of the board voted with the union Unite to increase the minimum rate to this extent. This compares with a proposed increase in the National Minimum Wage this year of 2.2 per cent (£5.93 per hour). This means the basic rate of pay
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for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks’ continuous employment will increase by 19p per hour to £6.51, bringing the minimum wage for a 39-hour week to £253.89.
The proposed hourly rates are:
◆ £5.96 (an increase of 16p per hour) for those in the first 26 weeks of employment ◆ £6.51 for those employed for more that 26 weeks by the same employer ◆ £3.61 for workers who undertake a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture. Workers with appropriate qualifications should also be paid an additional £0.99 per hour. Those working with dogs should receive an allowance of £4.94 per week for each dog up to a maximum of four.
The proposals will be advertised in detail and written representations must be sent to the Board by 9 July 2010.
The Board will meet again on 18 August to consider representations and, if it so decides, will make an order giving effect to its proposals. The rates would take effect from October 2010. Employers should bear in mind that these proposals only increase the minimum rates of pay. Government statistics confirm that most farm workers are paid above the minimum rates and, in these cases, employers can decide on wage increases independently of the SAWB negotiations. This is unless individual contracts of employment tie employers to give the SAWB increase, and we are aware that
many such contracts exist. The SRPBA would caution against such clauses in any new contracts of employment as market conditions and affordability should provide more flexibility to agree the appropriate wage rates necessary to attract and retain staff. Members who have concerns over the proposed rates should contact the SAWB before 9 July 2010.
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board secretary is Ronnie Grady, Scottish Government, Rural and Environment Directorate, Rural Business Development Branch, D Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD. Tel: 0131 244 9749 or e-mail:
sawb@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
LANDBUSINESS ISSUE 36 JUNE-JULY 2010
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