Success for McGrigor in retention of Bull Hire scheme

In a major success, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor’s persistence has won a reprieve for the Bull Hire scheme so important for crofters and for the genetic vitality of their stock.

Jamie McGrigor, Vice-Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Crofting in the Scottish Parliament, has been a consistent supporter of the scheme since his election in 1999.

His 2009 Members’ Debate on the subject led the Scottish Government to establish an independent review group.

He also held a Member’s Debate on the future of the Bull Hire Scheme in May 2004 when it was under threat by the then Lib/Lab Executive and once again this helped preserve the scheme.

Commenting on this outcome, the Argyll-based MSP says:  ‘I am delighted that the Scottish Government has changed its mind, listened to the independent Bull Hire Review group and decided to continue with a scheme which has benefited crofters for over a hundred years.

‘This is a victory for common sense and a real boost to crofters throughout my region of the Highlands and Islands who had my full support in fighting government plans to abolish the scheme.

‘I hope that the scheme is now here to stay and that it will continue to prove to be an effective and affordable way of helping to keep high quality cattle in the crofting counties.

‘This is important not just for farming and crofting in the Highlands & Islands but also for farmers in the rest of Scotland who want to purchase the healthy, high quality animals the Highlands & Islands produces.’

We have followed this entire process from an initial giggle at the mismatch of the subject of Bull Hire with the metropolitan nature of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, to an understanding of the real issues at the heart of the argument and to a respect for McGrigor’s energy in insisting that a misguided decision should be reversed.

It is to his and the Scottish Government’s credit that the right outcome has been achieved.