The Scottish Government announced £2million of funding for new entrants to agriculture, writes Sally Gillespie.
Applications for the subsidy was opened last month and will be judged in relation to the size of the farm and the potential investment it carries. New farmers currently do not receive single farm payments
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “This is a helping hand but is no substitute for direct support that new entrants should get but don’t due to the flawed European policy currently in place.
“I hope it offers some assistance until the new CAP arrives, which can’t happen soon enough for our new entrants.The longer term answer is to get new entrants onto a level playing field from day one of the new CAP.”
Meanwhile NFU Scotland’s New Generation group and Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) Agri-A ffairs committee hold a joint meeting in the Borders next Wednesday (June 12) updating young farmers on CAP negotiations, rural development reform and other policies that could affect agriculture businesses in the future. They will also discuss the £2m support.
Chairman of SAYFC’s Agri-Affairs Committee, Scott Somerville said: “There will be the opportunity to hear the latest on CAP reform and the Scottish Rural Development Programme but, more importantly, it will be open to those around the table to air their views.”
CAP reform discussions are expected to be conclude at the end of the month.
The New Generation group and SAYFC Agri-Affairs Committee meeting takes place at The Lodge, Carfraemill, Lauder starting at 7.30pm.