Less Favoured Area payments begin

Payments from the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme are due to start arriving in bank accounts from today, Thursday, March 15.

The Scottish Government has authorised payment of 9,900 claims to farmers and crofters working in some of the most challenging conditions in Europe, worth £55.4 million – 85 per cent of the total funding for the scheme. Changes to the scheme, developed in response to industry requests, have been made to better target LFASS payments by improving links between payment and level of activity.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: “I am sure this start to payments under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme will be welcomed as it means that an extra £55 million is about to start arriving in our rural communities, providing a welcome boost.

“This is only the start of the process and I have asked my officials to pay the remaining amounts as soon as possible.”