The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has proposed a 4.1 percent increase in the minimum agricultural workers rate to take effect from 1 October 2008.

Comments on the proposal are now invited with the wages board due to reconvene on Wednesday, 30 July to consider representation before making the proposal final.

Chairman of the NFUS Legal and Technical Committee Jamie Smart, who attends the Wages Board meeting on behalf of the Union, said:

"Representing employers within the industry, I feel we got a fair hearing and one which recognised the perilous economic condition that farming finds itself in. The market values attached to the wide range of agricultural goods we produce have struggled to keep pace with spiralling increases in our input costs. During negotiations, I feel that other board members have recognised the difficulty the industry would face in meeting a significantly higher wage bill."

While the proposed increase in the minimum wage will be unaffordable for some of our members, it is, by and large a fair settlement and one that is in line with the current rate of inflation.

"It is important to remember that the proposed 4.1 percent increase in the minimum agricultural wage rate does not mean that all farming wage rates have to rise by 4.1 percent. Many individual employers already recognise the value of their staff and pay rates that are above the minimum requirement. It will be at their discretion to decide what they can afford to pay in the way of a pay rise this year."