Scottish Departmental Committee on Food Production
How to produce more food in Scotland?
(NRS reference: HH31/24/12 pp7-8)

Transcript: 

Recommendations

1.	That district executive committees should at an early date reconsider the available areas of grass lands in their districts so that a much larger area may be ploughed in the ensuing season than in the present year, and that where it is thought desirable timeous  notice may be given to the occupiers that the ploughing up of such lands will be required in the national interests. District agricultural committees should be asked to report on this subject to the Board not later than November 1, 1917.

2.	That the right to enter woodlands between July 1 and April 30 for the purpose of killing rabbits should be given to all tenants of agricultural and pastoral holdings contiguous to such woodlands.

3.	That the right of agricultural tenants to kill pheasants found destroying crops should be extended to Scotland, and should be made to include grouse and blackgame.

4.	That the Board of Agriculture should continue to encourage schemes for the destruction of rats by paying a proportion of the cost, and that they should provide the necessary funds to enable district agricultural committees to support schemes for the destruction of sparrows and sparrows’ eggs.

5.	That a representation be made to the Food Controller that much fruit grown or picked for home consumption will be wasted unless some provision of a supply of sugar for jam-preserving be made, and that such supplies should be granted on the recommendation or licence of the district agricultural committees. 

6.	That the Army Council be requested to continue to release from time to time the skilled farm hands who are serving in the Home Forces and, so far as consistent with military necessities, leave on the land the men who have had training and experience in agricultural work.

7.	That the steam-threshing plants should be kept fully staffed, and, where possible, to economise farm labour, a team of five men should be available for and accompany each mill.

8.	That the Board of Agriculture should endeavour to extend the use of labour-saving implements, and where necessary should supply grubbers, cultivators and binders, which would be operated by the tractors now in committees’ hands.  

9.	That steps be taken to give effect to the Committee’s previous recommendations that restriction of the price of milk should from time to time be kept in relation to the cost of feeding stuffs and labour.

10.	That the survey of deer forests be completed by the Board of Agriculture without delay, and that the Board at once arrange with the owners of forests in respect of stock-grazing.

11.	That steps should be taken to secure an adequate supply of superphosphates for next season.

12.	That the attention of district agricultural committees be again called to the 5th recommendation of our second report:-
“The local agricultural committee shall arrange for meetings of farmers and farm servants for the purpose of electing representatives who would form a joint committee to discuss from time to time the necessary adjustments of wages and conditions of service.”

13.	 That the use of wheat, barley, oats and maize, except small and damaged grain, as food for live stock other than draught horses, be prohibited unless under special licence until the forthcoming harvest.

(National Records of Scotland reference: HH31/24/12 pp. 7-8)