New farmers due second instalment of funding

NEW FARMERS in Scotland are about to be paid the second instalmemt of £2 million in funding under the Scottish Government’s New Entrants Scheme.

Payments totalling almost £ 925,000 will be paid to 640 farmers and should be in bank accounts by close of business tomorrow.

The two-year fund was set up last May to support new entrants and deer farmers who are excluded from receiving Single Farm Payments (SFP).

The first instalment of the payments was made in October last year.

RuralAffairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “New entrants are the key to revitalising Scotland’s agricultural sector and this Scottish Government is committed to helping them enter the industry.

“By introducing new talent and ideas we can build on what is already a key sector to rural Scotland and the Scottish economy as a whole.

“I maintain that this money is no substitute for direct support and that Single Farm Payments should be accessible to new entrants.

“This funding does, however, act as a bridge until the new CAP arrives and the current flawed EU policy is corrected.”

Richard Lochhead.