Crofters disappointed by support proposals

The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a new framework for agricultural support payments, by calling for details on how the Scottish Government is going to use its powers and by demanding support for small-scale agriculture.

“We were disappointed that, more than six years after the decision to leave the EU, this consultation only raises very vague and often leading questions as to the powers that are necessary to provide agricultural support,” said Donald MacKinnon, chair of the SCF.

“A concrete plan of action is now required from the Scottish Government to ensure that crofters’ views and concerns are taken into account in the actual design and implementation of measures in support of the suggested outcomes.”

Mr MacKinnon added: “But we are concerned that measures may not be designed with crofting in mind. Payments across tiers need to be accessible to all producers, to ensure that crofters can continue crofting and deliver significant public benefits. These include active land management in areas of High Nature Value, and continuation of traditional practices such as the growing and breeding of heritage varieties and rare breeds.”

Mr MacKinnon concluded: “Better support for crofting and small-scale agriculture should be at the heart of the new agricultural policy. This means that conditions need to be proportional but also that we need to talk about how funds are distributed. For too long, agricultural payments have favoured the largest businesses. Crofting is delivering on the vision of the Scottish Government. It is now up to the government to better support crofting.”