The number of farm occupiers and regular workers in Scotland's agricultural sector has dropped in the last year, according to the provisional findings of the agricultural census.

Figures from the June survey show 2,260 fewer regular staff working on agricultural land, although casual labour levels rose modestly by 230 people.

In addition, levels of cattle, sheep and pigs dropped by 2.1, 4.9 and 6.6 per cent respectively, although poultry levels rose by three per cent, or 431,000 birds.

More positively, the area of land used for growing barley increased 12.6 per cent to 35,000 hectares, while wheat production grew 8.5 per cent to 9,000 hectares.

However, for Conservative rural affairs spokesperson John Scott more needs to be done to ensure a positive future for farming in Scotland.

"The continuing decline of livestock farming in Scotland's hills and uplands is fast becoming a national scandal.

"Government inaction to address this situation over the past ten years must be addressed immediately by a change of approach from the current Scottish and Westminster Governments.

"Year on year reductions in beef, sheep and pig numbers coupled with the exodus from the land of farming and farming families must be halted at a time when food is becoming scarcer and more expensive by the day," he added.

The figures released today are provisional, and may be revised when the final report is published on October 29.