£500m support for Scots farmers
● Confirmation comes as UK prepares to leave the CAP direct payments scheme
Sajid Javid says almost £500 million in financial support will be offered to farmers in Scotland as the agricultural sector prepares for life outside of the EU post-brexit.
As agriculture is a devolved matter, it will be down to Holyrood ministers to oversee the allocation to farmers.
It comes as the UK prepares to leave the Common Agricultural Policy direct payments scheme, which supports farmers across Europe with subsidies. This will be replaced by a new system based on public money for public goods.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed almost £500 million in financial support will be offered to farmers in Scotland as the agricultural sector prepares for life outside of the EU post-brexit.
Sajid Javid has announced £472m will be handed to the Scottish Government over the next two years.
As agriculture is a devolved matter, it will be down to Holyrood ministers to oversee the allocation to farmers.
It comes as the UK prepares to leave the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct payments scheme, which supports farmers across Europe with subsidies in 2020. This will be replaced by a new system based on public money for public goods.
The cash injection will allow the funding for direct payments for 2020 to continue at the same level as this year and supplement the remaining EU funding that farmers will receive for development projects until 2023 at the latest. The UK Government has pledged to guarantee the existing annual budget to farmers in every year of the Parliament.
The announcement is on top of the £216m in funding awarded since the spending round to support the farming sector in Scotland and Wales.
The Scottish Government has previously warned Brexit was “by far the biggest threat” to farming north of the Border.
Mr Javid said: “When we leave the EU and are freed from the Common Agricultural Policy, we will be able to support our vital rural communities – who are a cornerstone of life in the UK – with a fairer and less bureaucratic system.
“Farmers can enter the new year with confidence that they have our backing and will be able to thrive after Brexit.” Moray MP Douglas Ross, a Scotland Office minister, said: “Farming is vital to Scotland’s economy and we will always back our farmers.
“The £472m UK Government support for Scottish farmers for 2020 is on top of the recently announced boost of over £211m – £160m of which will resolve the issue of historic convergence allocations.
“For too long our farmers have been given a poor deal by the Common Agricultural Policy and we will make sure they have a prosperous future outside of the EU.
“When we get Brexit done, we will tailor support better to Scotland’s unique farming environments.”
Environment secretary Theresa Villiers said: “Outside the EU we will have a simpler, fairer funding system
Earlier this month, Cabinet minister Michael Gove appealed to Scotland’s farming community to back the Tories at the general election, claiming only his party would allow the agricultural sector to take full advantage of Brexit.
But Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-hamilton rejected the claim, pointing to potential issues with seasonal workers.
He said: “Michael Gove is a fool if he thinks Brexit will benefit Scottish farmers. Farms are struggling to get the seasonal workers they need and are worried that new barriers will cost them money.”