Hi
I am new to the site and to crofting...so my apologises in advance for these newbie questions!
I have recently got the tenancy of a croft and am relocating to start crofting this and my fathers croft across the valley.
The last tenant had an informal arrangement with a local farmer and until I am in residence this has continued. He also has the same arrangement with my father.
I know that neither my farthers or my CPHs are being used but want to arrange to buy some sheep (hopefully from the same farmer) by mid March 14 since I understand that 2014 is important for CAP reform and getting an entitlement in 2015.
Please can anyone tell me with all or some of the following (sorry for the number of questions in advance!):-
1. If I purchase sheep from the farmer can these sheep (tagged with his CPH) continue to run with his sheep (as part of the same flock) or do they have to be run as separate flocks if I owe some? (this is because I may not be ready to run them separately since I am relocating and building a new house on the croft)
2. If he is moving sheep to other crofts, both my fathers, mine and others, should he / I when i run livestock across 2 croft complete movement forms or can I just use 1 CPH to cover both mine and my parents crofts?
3. Is there any advantage in running the 2 crofts separately (for IACS and business reasons etc) or should I count them as 1? My farther intends to assign his croft to me as soon as I start crofting.
4. How do crofters account for their businesses - as sole traders or does anyone bother with LTD status?
All help gratefully received!
Big Thanks from the wet north west!