The Scottish government have announced ferry fares across Scotland are set to rise by 10% from next year.
In a letter to the net zero, energy and transport committee at Holyrood, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop wrote that this year’s price freeze would be 'too challenging to continue' given the financial burden it had placed on the government.
The rise is to take effect from January 1 on the Northern Isles routes and will be implemented March 28 across the west coast.
“We froze ferry fares for 2023-24 instead of 9.1% inflationary increase in order to help people, business and communities at the height of the cost-of-living crisis, and to continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic,” said Ms Hyslop.
At a time where the agricultural sector is already being squeezed in the Scottish isles this news has been heavily criticised by farmers and crofters who were already unhappy with the service provided by Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS).
NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “The agricultural sector is hugely important to the economic and social viability of many island and remote communities, and like all people living and working in these area, farmers and crofters are heavily reliant on these lifeline ferry services.
“We need to ensure that all organisations are fully aware of, and understand, the issues and impacts relating to the agricultural sector.
“In the short-term, the cumulative impact of all the disruptions and restrictions means that farmers and crofters are being prevented, at a critical time of year, from reaching markets and receiving essential goods from the mainland.
“In the long-term, farmers and crofters dependent on ferries are seeking reassurance that the current dire situation will improve significantly. The increase in ferry fares announced for 2025 must come with a much-improved service.”
Daniel Urquhart, auctioneer at Dingwall Mart, stated that the ferries had never let them down personally and that the only issue they’ve ever had was with the weather preventing travel.
However, he suggested that the gradual increase of haulage along with an ageing buyers’ market may begin to harm the island sales, he said: “The thing that is going to kill the island trade is getting people to actually go there and buy the sheep, because people are not getting any younger.
“We get subsidised on the livestock and get half the fare of what a normal lorry would cost but I was fully expecting them to go up. I remember saying years ago that the haulage would kill the island sales, and this could have an impact on that.”
A spokesperson for the Lewis and Harris sheep producers’ association said: “Our members rely on the ferry service for getting sheep off island and for bringing in inputs. A 10% increase in fares represents a significant additional cost for island producers.
“We already have much higher costs of doing business which are not adequately reflected in the current agricultural payment system.
“This decision will only make things more challenging. A reliable and affordable ferry service is necessary for the future of agriculture in our islands. A fairer agricultural payments system that recognises the unique challenges we face is also essential.”
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