Crofters poised to destroy 15,000 sheep - farmers weekly


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12 November 1998 CROFTERS POISED TO DESTROY 15,000 SHEEP CROFTERS on the Shetland Islands are facing the prospect of destroying 15,000 sheep because of the plummeting price of the stock.


Sheep may also be destroyed on the Orkney and Western Isles. The crofters are contemplating the prospect because they stand to recoup just £1 a head from their sale. The local MP has called


for subsidised crossings to the mainland for the sheep to ease the farmers plight. But this subsidy would breach European regulations. _The local ferry company is already offering a partial


subsidy to the mainland of £2.25 a head. _ * Shetland farmers given £60,000 to ferry sheep, _FWi_, 15 October, 1998 * Farmer shoots sheep as prices collapse, _FWi_, 08 October, 1998 * Mass


slaughter looms for Shetlands sheep, _Farmers Weekly_, 18 September, 1998 * _Financial Times 12/11/98 page * The Guardian 12/11/98 page 10 _