NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 24 November 2009b PERTHSHIRE FARMERS AFFECTED BY FLOODING Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser and Perth and North Perthshire Conservative Candidate Peter Lyburn have called on the SNP Government and its agencies to provide the necessary support and assistance to Perthshire farmers who have been adversely affected by the torrential rain and localised flooding. The Perthshire Conservatives were inspecting fields in Perthshire swamped after the heavy rain across the Tayside region and MSP Murdo Fraser has lodged a Parliamentary Question in the Scottish Parliament asking the SNP Government to set out what it will do to help Perthshire’s farmers. Perth and North Perthshire Conservative Candidate Peter Lyburn has demanded that a National Flooding Review takes place and that Tayside is a priority area for new and improved flood defence prevention schemes. Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP: “The SNP Government must do all that it can to assist our farmers and everyone else who has been adversely affected by the torrential rain and flooding. Autumn and the start of Winter 2009 has seen some of the most harsh and unpredictable weather in Scotland, with Perthshire badly affected by the conditions. “I have lodged a parliamentary question in the Scottish Parliament asking the SNP Government to set out what it will do to help our Perthshire farmers. It is important that our farmers and local businesses are given the necessary support and help when extreme weather badly impacts upon their livelihoods.” Perth and North Perthshire Conservative Candidate Peter Lyburn added: “Households, farmland and businesses in Perthshire have already witnessed extreme weather this season and it is clear that we will have to deal with the threat of flooding on a much more regular basis. The SNP must do what it can to provide assistance to our Perthshire farmers who have seen their fields and businesses damaged by the weather. “It is clear that the risk of flooding in Tayside is an extremely important issue and the SNP Government must undertake a National Flooding Review urgently. This evidence of increased river flows in Tayside proves that Perthshire should be a priority area for new or improved flood prevention schemes.” ENDS   back to top of page