SHEEP and their keepers are 'vital' to the rural economy of upland Britain – and policymakers must not forget that whilst negotiating Brexit and its aftermath.

Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing received that message loud and clear this week, when the National Sheep Association Scotland took him to visit Kenny and John Matheson, who run 2000 Blackface ewes over nearly 30,000 acres between Strathnairn and Tomatin from a base at Milton of Aberarder, where he was presented with a 'comprehensive document' stressing the importance of this ancient primary industry.

Alongside the Matheson family were NSA Scotland chairman, John Fyall and Scottish development manager, George Milne, who then accompanied Mr Ewing to a hill farming summit in Dingwall where he heard from hill farmers from across the North of Scotland.

With shepherding arguably the most exposed industry in Brexit discussions, the NSA said that there has never been a more vital time to make sure politicians understand its contribution to to the nation. To that end, the NSA publication gives working case studies exemplifying how sheep contribute to tourism, carbon sequestration, community viability, rural economy and biodiversity, as well as the undervalued production of food from the most marginal ground in Europe.

Mr Fyall said: “We are happy to introduce this to the minister on farm, in one of the harshest pastoral environments in Europe. To be able to hear first-hand the issues and obstacles facing our hill shepherds from a progressive farming family has got to be of mutual benefit and it was an enjoyable and useful meeting, which we hope to build on later in the year at Holyrood."

It is intended that this upland document will soon be complimented by a smaller publication looking at sheep on arable farms and the return of the "golden hoof" in lowground rotations.

His meetings with working sheep farmers will also have left Mr Ewing with little doubt about their continued ambivalence to the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme.

Following vocal criticism from former NSA office holders, Mr Fyall clarified the association's current position on the scheme: "The NSA did not support the scheme but SUSSS is in place and it needs reviewed as promised. It has not encouraged production but has caused alterations in marketing, and we need to explore ways to tie it proportionally to the number of ewes – i.e. a true reflection of replacements used if it does not involve onerous inspection of the holdings whole flock.

"It also has resulted in people losing money for the entirety of the scheme due to misinterpretation and conflicting advice on linked holdings and wintering movements. The scheme would be simplified if normal approved movement practices could be adopted and the basic payment scheme monies were not at risk from errors that do not endanger traceability or break legislation," said Mr Fyall.

The SUSSS application dates were not achievable where gathers are later than October 16 due to stalking constraints, he noted: "So why not delay application until December to allow all hard hill producers the chance to apply? This could still give a three month retention and a better indication of hoggs likely to be eligible."