Farmers’ union calls for ferry service improvements

The National Farmers Union in Scotland has become the latest to call for RET to be implemented on ferry routes to the northern isles.

In pushing for the Islands (Scotland) Bill to recognise that farming and crofting as the backbone of many, if not all, island communities, the union has also called for issues around Orkney’s ageing internal ferry fleet to be looked at.

The union has welcomed the passing of Stage 3 of the Islands (Scotland) Bill and the commitment to include the creation of a “national islands plan” to set a long-term improvement strategy for our islands and their communities.

NFUS has highlighted the role of active farming and crofting, not only in producing food but also in supporting many other vital islands industries such as the tourism and the food and drink sectors. The union has said  It is vital, therefore, in setting out a ‘national islands plan’ that agriculture is at the forefront.

In addition, as highlighted at the recent evidence session of the Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee (30 May), ferry services are an essential service in securing the economic viability of the islands. There has been significant growth in the use of the ferries in some areas since the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) boosting tourism. However, recent vessel breakdowns and the ensuing ferry disruptions have highlighted how vulnerable the current ferry service is.

Orkney and Shetland regional chairman David Scarth, who farms at Twatt on Orkney said: “For the Northern Isles, there is disappointment that Scottish Government continues to delay the introduction of the promised RET to Orkney and Shetland. In addition, there is still the outstanding issue of introducing “fair fares” on the internal ferries within these islands.

“Here, there are also issues arising from an ageing ferry fleet at a time when the prospect of introducing RET on the internal ferry network doesn’t appear to be on the radar. This leaves our most vulnerable and fragile communities paying the highest fares in Scotland and, in many cases, receiving the poorest service.”