Anger and fear at sudden closure of starter scheme

The sudden and unexpected closure of the new entrants’ capital grant scheme last week has caused shock and consternation in the industry, especially amongst those drafting applications for this week’s deadline.

And a warning has been issued that without ongoing support many of the fledgling farming businesses set to play a vital role in the future success of Scottish agriculture would “slip through the cracks” and fail.

Yesterday NFU Scotland’s new entrant group issued a plea to the Scottish Government calling for those currently racing to beat the 31 August deadline to be allowed to submit accompanying paperwork – such as planning permission and building warrants – at a later date.

Despite writing earlier in the month to welcome measures for new entrants included in the Stability and Simplicity Consultation, the group said that the sudden closureof the scheme only added to the uncertainty within the industry, stating: “To secure the future of Scottish farming and crofting, there must be investments made to support and equip this generation.”

Mark Donald, a starter farmer from Stirlingshire and chairman of the group, said: “In the Year of Young People, the closure of this scheme is a real blow to young people trying to establish their business in what has already been a challenging year for Scottish farmers and crofters. There is now very limited targeted support available for new entrants and young farmers. The scheme was supposed to be both open and funded until 2020 and the unexpected closure has left a number of new entrant members of NFU Scotland having to restructure their business plans to accommodate for the late warning.”

He said that many potential recipients of the scheme had already incurred significant costs in the process of putting together their applications and were now very concerned that it would be impossible to complete their applications in the tight timescale available.

“We hope the cabinet secretary accepts our reasonable demand that eligible claimants who are already in the process of applying, and awaiting necessary paperwork will be accepted with the necessary paperwork provided when ready.

“Looking ahead, the lack of support specifically for new entrants and young farmers currently brings great uncertainty to the sector.

“With no proposed future schemes, I am concerned that many fledgling farming businesses who will play a vital role in the future success of Scottish agriculture will slip through the cracks.”