Single Farm Payments on time, says minister
Farmers across the country are due to start receiving their Single Farm Payments on Monday — the first day that payments are permitted by European regulations.
According to the Scottish Government, almost all farmers should receive their full payments by the end of January 2014.
Due to the ‘financial discipline’ imposed by Europe this year, approximately 14,600 farmers receiving Single Farm Payments of more than €2,000 will receive a small reduction of 2.5 per cent. However, approximately 16,000 farmers who receive their payments in sterling will actually see an increase of five per cent because of this year’s higher exchange rate.
Cabinet secretary for rural affairs, Richard Lochhead, said: ““I am pleased to announce that we are on course to achieve a similar timescale for this year’s Single Farm Payments which will inject a total of almost £450 million into Scotland’s rural economy.
“And with every £1 of output from the agricultural sector generating an additional 80p in other parts of the Scottish economy, this vital funding for farmers clearly delivers benefits for all of Scotland.”