Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 7 September 2001 For Use: Immediately

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Backing For Lamb Cull In Islands

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Chairman of Development Services, Cllr. Donald Maclean has backed calls for the Scottish Executive to reconsider using slaughter facilities in the Western Isles for the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme.

Cllr. Maclean said:

"It would clearly be in the interests of the crofting community for the cull to be undertaken here in the Western Isles and not for lambs to have to be transported to Dingwall. Consultation would have enabled that view to be expressed and I would now urge Mr. Finnie to think again in the light of the dissatisfaction with the current arrangements. In the meantime I would support calls to suspend the cull until due consideration is given to the Western Isles and the interests of our substantial crofting community".

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk