The Scottish Crofting Federation is staggered at the apparent lack of understanding shown by Environment Rosanna Cunningham of the serious implications of selling the Knocknagael Shetland Cattle Herd on the open market.
In an interview to BBC Radio Shetland last night Ms Cunningham’s defended her decision to place the herd of 9 cattle from the Knocknagael Stud Farm, Inverness into the rare breed sale at Dingwall Auction Mart tomorrow. Ms Cunningham’s statement that the cattle would only be sold for breeding shows a complete lack of understanding on how an open market works. The Chair of SCF Eleanor Arthur said “If these cattle enter the auction ring how on earth can she dictate what the buyer does with an animal after they have paid money for it? Surely the Kye then become private property and the owner can do what they see fit, this I fear will be the end for a few of the cattle.”
