Rushing to defend vital support

Scottish farming leaders have come out strongly in defence of the funding currently going through the Less Favoured Area scheme after suggestions emerged that it might be under threat of change as part of the Common Agricultural Policy reform plans

Chairman of NFU Scotland LFA committee Sandy Tulloch said LFA support was distinct from other types of support available to farmers and crofters and should remain so.

"Although it underpins much of the agricultural activity in the LFA, it is much more than simply a production, agri-environment or social payment. LFA payments compensate for the natural disadvantage by covering the additional costs and income foregone related to the natural handicaps faced by many farmers. As such, they merit being viewed as distinct and separate to any area-based direct payment scheme such as the Single Farm Payment."

Speaking on behalf of the Scottish Beef Cattle Association, Patrick Lambert viewed any change as going against the widely supported views from the Pack report which wanted funding directed to active agricultural operations.

"The idea that we take the current LFASS scheme which is successfully directed at supporting breeding herds of cattle and sheep flocks in our most fragile and economically challenged areas and hand it out to all and sundry is complete and utter nonsense."

Almost 85 per cent of Scotland is recognised by Europe as being disadvantaged. This allows payments under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme last year to deliver 64 million to almost 13,000 businesses in these areas.

This cash underpins the economic, social and environmental benefits being delivered by farming and crofting in these parts. In the most disadvantaged areas, the relative importance of LFA support to a business increases to the point where it is critical to the survival of many active farming units.

At the moment, LFA funding at a European level is delivered as part of the rural development pot, known as Pillar 2 of the CAP. Several European documents related to the planned CAP Reform in 2013 have suggested that such funding should be shifted to Pillar 1 - the pot of European funding that currently delivers direct payment schemes such as the Single Farm Payment (SFP).

According to Tulloch: "Recent statements of where LFA support might fit into a future CAP are causing real concern. We are adamant that there is a clear case for continued LFA support and that it should remain separate but complementary to Pillar 1 payments, such as SFP, and the other elements of Pillar 2, such as agri-environment schemes.

"In essence what we believe is necessary is a revised LFA scheme which encourages sustainable economic activity within a vibrant rural economy provided by an active farming and crofting body.To achieve this, there is an overwhelming need to retain LFA support as a stand-alone Pillar 2 measure."