Stevenson Speaks Up for Dairy Farmers at SNP Conference

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson highlighted the struggle faced today by dairy farmers at the recent SNP Conference in Glasgow.

Speaking to a resolution at the Conference, Mr Stevenson backed NFU Scotland's campaign for a fair deal for dairy farmers against the unfair pricing of milk by the big supermarkets.

The resolution was passed unanimously by Conference delegates in a show of support for the Scotland's dairy sector.

Mr Stevenson said:

"Agriculture is one of the most essential industries in the rural parts of my constituency, and I am very concerned at the figures which the NFU produced to demonstrate the effect unfair pricing of milk has had on dairy farmers. Over the last six years, one in four Scottish dairy farmers have gone out of business due to the present situation, and this scenario will only degenerate if supermarkets do not alter their present policies.

"I hope that by bringing their campaign to the Scottish Parliament, the NFU will force supermarkets to sit up and take notice, in order to prevent the further decline of Scotland's dairy farming industry and, indeed, to preserve it's long-term future."

MSP Backing for Cancer Awareness

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has highlighted the importance of Bowel Cancer Awareness month, taking place during April, and organised by Bowel Cancer UK.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Stevenson said:

"I applaud this national campaign which is aimed at raising awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer and ways to reduce the risk. Research has indicated that 84% of the population would feel too embarrassed to act on the symptoms of bowel cancer. The tragedy is that the number of deaths from bowel cancer could easily be reduced - if caught in its early stages it is highly treatable, with survival rates of up to 90%.

"In the majority of cases, bowel problems will not turn out to be cancer. However, Bowel Cancer UK encourages people to act quickly and talk to their GP.

"It is a proven fact that obesity has links to bowel cancer and by making a few simple lifestyle changes, individuals can help to reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. These include: eating a healthy diet low in fat and high in fibre, including at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day, drinking plenty of fresh fluids, water in particular and taking up regular exercise to keep fit and healthy.

"For those wishing more information, they should visit the Bowel Cancer UK website: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk."

Stevenson Meets with Scottish Fishermen's Federation

PRAWN QUOTA DEBACLE ILLUSTRATES CASE FOR SCOTTISH CONTROL OF FISHERIES

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has met with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation Chief Executive Dr Bertie Armstrong to discuss the industry's wishes for parties standing in the coming election.

Of immediate concern was the apparent breakdown of the concordat which should govern relationships between DEFRA in London and SEERAD in Edinburgh. The SFF had not been consulted before the transfer of prawn fishing rights, developed by the Scottish fleet, to Germany, a country with no previous commercial prawn fishery.

Commenting on this, Mr Stevenson said:

"This is a perfect illustration of the failings of both the EU's Common Fisheries Policy and of the price paid for Westminster control of our fishery. They clearly have no understanding of equity, of the value of the investment which has built up this stock or of the proper process for consultation.

"I will be raising this with Scotland's fishing minster to establish why this appalling decision came to made without any discussion with the industry which is being affected. It has always been bad enough that Scottish fishing interests and the Scottish Minister are left sitting in the corridor when the EU discusses our fishing interests. Now they are left in the corridor when UK decisions are made.

"This all reinforces the need for independent decision-making in Scotland."