Ráðunautafundur - 20.02.1996, Blaðsíða 18

10
SOAEFD ADVISORY GRANT-IN-AID
The SOAEFD supported programme of advisory work is now commissioned on the basis of
30 defined Advisory Activities which are organised into seven Advisory Objectives. Six of
these Advisory Objectives relate to programme sectors in which SOAEFD grant funding is
received in partial support for specific services. The final programme unit is concerned with
the process of technology transfer and support which receives grant funding only in respect of
those clients who attract Scottish Office support because of their LFA or remote area status.
The current Advisory Objectives are listed below, together with the amount of grant-in-aid
that has been allocated to the Objective during 1995/96 (total advisory grant-in-aid £6.380M).
Each Advisory Activity is commissioned in accordance with the ROAME procedure
which now is commonly used to assess proposals for government funding in the UK.
(ROAME = Rational, Objective, Appraisal, Monitoring, Evaluation). Grant-in-aid funding
covers all four components of each Advisory Activity, ie development, support, promotion
and delivery.
A1 To ensure the provision of up-to-date information, advice and services in direct
support of government policy and initiatives (Direct £933k).
A2 To improve the provision of information, advice and services to assist with adjust-
ments to improve the sustainability of Scottish rural areas and rural industries fol-
lowing CAP and GATT reforms (Sustain £790k).
A3 To improve the provision of information, advice and services designed to improve
animal care and welfare and increase public knowledge and awareness of prevalent
or potential animal disease (Animal Care £l,117k).
A4 To provide and enhance services designed to assist agriculture and other rural in-
dustries in Scotland to introduce environmentally sensitive technologies, conserva-
tion practices and policies to increase public awareness of, and access to, the coun-
tryside (Country Care £l,503k).
A5 To enhance the provision of education extension activity and industry group com-
munication (Extension £664k).
A6 To promote awareness, encourage action and the development of the skills required
for the successful establishment of rural business complementary to agriculture and
provide business support as required (Diversify £128k).
A7 To promote technology transfer and provide technology support to increase national
competitiveness and improve the quality of life (Technology Transfer £l,245k).
MARKET EVALUATION OF ADVISORY SERVICES 1994
In 1994 SAC commissioned an independent market survey of the use of consultancy services
by farmers in mainland Scotland. Of the 320 farmers surveyed, 85% had used advisory or
consultancy services during 1993. SAC had supplied services to 79% of farms in the sample.