Ráðunautafundur - 20.02.1996, Síða 15

7
advisory provision in the remote and disadvantaged areas of Scotland’ and “fully charged
services”, a transitional subsidy on advice and services to farmers who would be expected to
pay the full cost. This system of allocation was replaced in 1994 by a commissioned pro-
gramme of Advisory Objectives and Activities, and the transitional subsidy ended in 1995/96.
SAC ADVISORY SERVICE
The mission of SAC is “To enhance the sustainability of rural areas and communities and the
viability of the industries on which they depend.” Within this, the role of the SAC Advisory
Service is to ensure the local delivery of publicly funded extension services in Scotland and to
provide in parallel commercial advisory and consultancy services for farmers and other land
managers and other rural businesses, harnessing the full range of SAC resources. SAC pro-
vides advice on all aspects of business management and crop and animal husbandry together
with related advice on environmental protection, habitat and wildiife conservation, and animal
welfare. SAC is the undoubted leader in this market sector in Scotland with a respected rep-
utation for independence and impartiality.
The Subscription Schemes operated by the Advisory Service and its approach to client
management have been important factors in making the successful transition from a wholly
grant-aided extension service to a commercial consultancy service which also undertakes
grant-aided extension work in the public interest. More than 6,500 farmers and crofters in
Scotland are members of one of SAC’s three Subscription Schemes.
It is a major strength of the advisory service provided by SAC that its local Advisers
have access to the several hundred Science and Production Specialists at the three Centres of
Study who can either provide back-up to the local Adviser or provide specialist services direct
to the client as appropriate. SAC is unrivalled in the depth and breadth of specialist services it
can provide to its clients.
Whenever appropriate SAC works closely with other organisations in the rural sector.
Thus the Advisory Service has local links with many organisations throughout Scotland.
There is a special relationship with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), all of
whose Advisers except one are based in SAC Advisory Offtces. On the commercial front
there is a close working relationship with many of the Local Enterprise Companies and Local
Enterprise Trusts sponsored by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The Advisory Service Division currently has a turnover of £5M per annum, £2M of
which is advisory grant-in-aid and £3M commercial income.