SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT LOAN SCHEME TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY
MSP for the Angus South Constituency, Graeme Dey, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s offer of loans to hill and upland farmers and crofters in order to provide financial support and certainty in the New Year.
Under the national Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) 2019, eligible farmers and crofters will be offered up to 95% of their Common Agricultural Policy LFASS payment from January.
The initial batch of loan offers will be made to more than 10,000 farmers and crofters, with the Scottish Government continuing to make additional offers as claim eligibility is confirmed. A similar scheme in 2018 delivered payments worth over £52 million to more than 8,400 hill farmers and crofters.
As with the National Basic Payment Support Scheme that has invested over £340 million into the rural economy since October, a ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario would not see anyone required to return the payment.
Commenting, Mr Dey said:
“With the rural economy in Angus South and across Scotland on the front line where Brexit is concerned, it is imperative that those most at risk receive the support they need.
“These are the areas that will be hardest hit by being dragged out of the EU and losing tariff- and barrier-free access to trade.
“Despite being on track to make the loan payments in the spring, the Scottish Government is acting to ensure that those farming on marginal land have as much financial security as possible going into the new year.
“With Scotland now perilously close to having this unwanted Brexit foisted upon us, I would encourage any eligible farmers in Angus South to return their loan offer acceptance by 17 January to get their payment as quickly as possible.”
