FOCUS ON TACKLING RURAL WEATHER IMPACTS

22nd December 2010

Scottish Government working with industry on snow and ice issues

The Scottish Government's Resilience Committee will continue to meet over the festive period to ensure that multi-agency action keeps Scotland moving and that emerging weather-related issues are dealt with quickly and effectively.

The severe weather's impact on rural and farming communities will continue to be a central part of these discussions, with close attention being paid in particular to fuel distribution, the food supply chain and animal welfare issues.

As part of the ongoing work, the Scottish Government held detailed discussions this week with a wide-ranging group of agriculture and animal health stakeholders to discuss current and anticipated issues for rural communities and farmers across the country.

Key issues which emerged include:

*Significant extra deliveries of heating oil and diesel have now arrived in Aberdeen and Inverness and intensive work was being undertaken to get deliveries out to customers;

*Driver hours' relaxations, now in place until Christmas Eve, were proving very helpful and the situation would be kept under careful review;

*Animal welfare issues would be monitored in both the short and medium term.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Rural communities and farms right across Scotland have been significantly affected by the extraordinary weather that's now been with us for a month and shows no immediate signs of abating. We have kept in
close touch with rural and agriculture stakeholders during the near-unprecedented weather, to identify any issues and to pursue action to deal with these quickly and effectively.

"This week's stakeholder discussions underlined again just how resilient the agriculture and rural sectors are in the face of such severe conditions. I pay tribute to the many people going above and beyond the call of duty, not only to keep their own businesses going but to help others in need in their local communities.

"A particular issue this week was the supply of heating oil and red diesel, but I am pleased to say that very significant deliveries of both have arrived in Aberdeen and Inverness. Suppliers, liaising with local agencies, are working hard to ensure lifeline deliveries reach those who need them, and exceptional efforts are being made to get deliveries to the vulnerable in the hardest to reach areas.

"I am also aware that some suppliers have set up collection points to allow those can collect fuel, rather than waiting for deliveries to get through, to get supplies quicker than might otherwise have been possible.

"If anyone has concerns about vulnerable people getting access to heating fuel, they should contact their local councils who are helping co-ordinate action. Others awaiting fuel deliveries should keep in touch with their suppliers and see if collection is a possible alternative.

"I am pleased to hear that the many EU drivers' hours' rules relaxations that we have secured have played their part in helping get vital supplies to and from farms and rural communities. We are closely monitoring the situation with stakeholders ahead of the latest temporary relaxations coming to an end on Christmas Eve.

"We are also in close contact with the livestock sector in order to monitor any immediate welfare issues arising from difficulties associated with the distribution of animal feed, while looking ahead to issues that might emerge in the New Year."