Survey finds cash flow is 'a major worry' for crofters
Cash flow, labour, contractors, supplies and veterinary care are the main problems being faced by crofters due to Covid-19, according to responses to a survey put out by the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF).
“We have had a very good response to our survey," said Yvonne White, chairperson of the crofters’ representative body. “The statistics are stark, with over a third of the respondents citing cash flow as a major worry.
"Many crofters supply food and accommodation to the local market. Abattoirs have not been taking private kills, hotels and restaurants are closed and on-croft accommodation bookings are cancelled.
"This would normally be the time of year to start seeing money coming back in after the long winter, but it is not materialising.”
One respondent said: “The closure of some abattoirs to private kills is a death knell to us small producers. If abattoirs stay open, they cannot exclude private kills as cumulatively the resulting produce will be a substantial contribution to food supplies in rural areas.”

Another, who supplied hotels and restaurants, said: “I am giving away all egg production free as there is such a reduced market for the eggs here; 250 hens, the alternative is to throw them away when they go out of date.”
Asked what would help, they said that financial support is either lacking or confusing, or that crofts fall between the cracks. For example, the loss of holiday-let income is a "devastating" interruption to cash flow but, as this is not the main occupation, there is no help.
The shortage of help on the croft from contractors, volunteers, students and family was cited by well over a third of respondents. One crofter said: “It is difficult to get contractors and materials to complete work. Urgent fencing work can't be done.”
Responses suggested that contractors were heeding the government advice to "stay at home", despite food production being part of the critical national infrastructure. Many respondents said they felt the guidance was not clear enough.
Ms White added: “The survey is still live and is open to all crofters, whether SCF members or not. We need the information to feed into Scottish Government policy as we attempt to keep up Scottish food production in this very difficult time.
"It is obvious that crofters are suffering financial hardship due to the situation. As a gesture SCF will not be applying the annual inflationary subscription increase, but crofters still need concessions and targeted help from government if we are to survive this.”
The survey can be accessed here.