Is your business eligible for support from the Coronavirus Fund?

Shooting enterprises in Scotland need not apply!

Funding measures introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Cabinet Secretary for Finance Kate Forbes designed to help rural business with the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak have excluded shooting enterprises and some fishing related businesses. The one-off grants are designed to help protect jobs, prevent business closures and promote economic recovery, and more than 90,000 ratepayers across Scotland will be able to benefit.

Kate Forbes said: "While our primary concern is for people's health, it is clear that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak will have severe economic consequences, and we are treating it as an economic emergency. We are determined to help keep companies in business and support them and their staff during this difficult time.

"Local authorities are the most efficient way to deliver this and we have worked closely with them to deliver these measures – and eligible businesses can apply now.

However, like so many Government policies, the devil is in the detail.

On further investigation local authority applications forms list those business that are not eligible. Incredibly this list includes:

• Deer Forest
• Game Larder
• Shootings
• Shooting Range
• Boathouses
• Fishing Hut

Scottish Countryside Alliance Director Jamie Stewart said: "The Scottish Governments decision to exclude shooting enterprises and some fishing related business from this needed financial support is incredibly naive and quite frankly discriminatory".

"At this time, gamekeepers and deer stalkers are mobilised in support of many remote communities, delivering food and other essentials to isolated families."

"The value of shooting and related activities has long been recognised as a key economic driver across much of our countries rural landscape. To exclude financial support at this time could have long term consequences for many downstream businesses beyond the coronavirus crisis".

A fact recognised by Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP. Mr Ewing said: "Our tourism sector is a vital strand of the rural economy and country sports represent a significant proportion of this.

"Field sports are a huge draw, with both domestic and foreign audiences enjoying the wealth of world-class opportunities available in Scotland."

In addition to this Rural Affairs Minister, Mairi Gougeon, recently commented on the need for active deer management when she announced a new deal between Forest and Land Scotland and Highland Game ltd on the 3^RD March 2020. The Cabinet Secretary said: "This management activity is essential to help reduce Scotland's deer population to non-damaging levels to protect the environment. As part of our ambition to create a circular economy, we should ensure that this lean, healthy source of protein reaches the food chain. This contract will make a significant contribution to Scotland's £7.25 million per year venison industry.

"We have raised our concerns with the Finance Cabinet Secretary and await her response."