“Compensate Strathspey and Moray inferno businesses” demands Ewing
The strath’s Independent MSP Fergus Ewing MSP is calling on the Scottish Government to provide financial support and compensation for those rural businesses devastated by our latest - and very worst - rural inferno.
The member for Inverness and Nairn said: “The wildfire that raged for several days in the area from Dava to Dallas is thought to be the most serious ever seen in Scotland covering the largest area of ground.
“Over the past days I have been in contact with several businesses that have been severely impacted by the fire. Some have seen burning of valuable forestry; others loss of grazing land; and some, decimation of upland used for sporting pursuits.
“Many farmers were about to put sheep on summer grazings - which have now been burnt to cinders. They will incur substantial costs in feed.
“In this most serious of fires, The Scottish Government were reported absent from duty. It’s clear their delay in getting helicopters to tackle the fire meant the fire damage was much, much worse and covered a much larger area than it should, had they acted swiftly.”
Despite his urgent and repeated pleas, they “did not even bother” to activate the emergency coordination process - the Resilience Room - even though they had done so on April 6 for the wild fire in Galloway which “though serious, was far less extensive”.
Mr Ewing went on: “They have already set up a £4.4 million business resilience fund for businesses in the Western Isles hit by ferry disruption. Where is the response to businesses devastated by this massive fire - the worst ever seen?
“Not a squeak from Scottish Government, no visits, no comment - radio silence.
“Nor have any NatureScot bosses bothered to come to the aid of rural businesses despite their supposed interest in the countryside.
“As far as I am aware, so far the Scottish Government have not yet even sent a Minister to see the damage and meet the businesses whose livelihoods have been devastated.
“They must now make amends. After further discussion with local businesses in my constituency, I shall also seek a meeting with Ministers to discuss what compensation should be provided”.
A NatureScot spokeswoman responded: “Several NatureScot staff assisted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in tackling the blazes last week.
“Staff will be at the site of the wildfires again this week, alongside members of the Muirburn Code Working Group, including its chair who is a NatureScot board member.
“They will see the impact on the ground and meet with gamekeepers involved in helping to tackle the blaze to get firsthand accounts of their experiences.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded: “During any wildfire the Scottish Government is in continual and close contact with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and other responders to carefully monitor and stay updated.
“SFRS is fully prepared to deal with outbreaks and we are grateful to them, first responders, volunteers, partners, landowners, gamekeepers and extended local communities for their ongoing efforts to keep people and property safe, as they did during the wildfires in Moray.
“The Agriculture Minister, Mr Fairlie, discussed the situation when he met various stakeholders at the Game Fair in Scone on Friday 4 July, and will be visiting affected sites later this month to meet with local stakeholders on any lessons learned for future incidents.
“Damage from fire is an insurable risk with standard UK home and business insurance policies generally covering fire damage to both buildings and contents. Coverage can include structural repairs, personal belongings, damage caused by emergency services, and temporary accommodation if required.”