Reduced LFASS parachute payments must act as stepping stone to future, says farmers’ chief
UPLAND farmers are “struggling to understand” why Scotland is having to wind down its Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme, which has long been valued for its targeted contribution to the country’s more marginal livestock producers
Responding to the news that 2017 will be the last proper year of the LFASS, National Farmers’ Union Scotland president Andrew McCornick acknowledged the efforts of both the hill farming sector and the Scottish Government to convince the EU to stay its axe, but admitted that these channels were now “exhausted”.
The industry now had to get used to the idea that next year’s LFASS would offer only a reduced “parachute payment”, easing the scheme to a close: “Post-Brexit, we will have the chance to design a support scheme for Scottish hill farmers and crofters that will be fit for purpose but, for now, this parachute payment must act as a stepping stone,” said Mr McCornick.
“With 80 per cent of existing MESSRS Craig Wilson Ltd sold 2556 prime hoggs at Ayr yesterday to a top of £98 per head and 220.9p per kg to average 180.8p (+14.1p on the week).
There were also 799 cast sheep forward when all classes were again dearer on the week with heavy ewes selling to £168.50 for Texels and averaging £83.94, while light ewes peaked at £74 for Blackfaces and levelled at £55.04.
The firm went on to sell support on offer, we are now in discussions with Scottish Government on a targeted menu of easily accessible small capital grant schemes and additional elements that will give LFA farmers and crofters an opportunity to access the remaining 20 per cent.”
The LFA is going because the EU wants to see such schemes replaced using its new system 11 prime heifers at the same venue yesterday to a top of £1410.15 per head and 237p per kg for the same beast to average £1236.28 and 212p.
In the rough ring all classes were dearer on the week with for classifying less-than-ideal agricultural land – “Areas facing Natural Constraint”. The ANC concept has found little favour with NFU Scotland, which has criticised its “onerous and restrictive rules”.
“While the parachute option is not ideal, it is significantly better than the cliff edge of ANC payments that active upland beef and extensive hill sheep producers faced,” said Mr McCornick.
Commenting on the hill support changes, Scottish Beef Association chairman Neil McCorkindale said: “The SBA 23 beef cows selling to £1350 and 170.1p to average 128.7p, while 55 dairy cows peaked at £1140 and 146.8p to level at 110.1p. Twelve clean OTM cattle sold to £1310 and 202.9p to average 135.3p, while a couple of bulls peaked at £1490 and 153.6p to level at 137.6p.
There was also a plainer show of 13 dairy cattle forward that sold to £1500 for a Holstein Friesian cow and averaged £1121. fully supports the parachute payment proposal for LFASS, which is the best option available in the short term.”
However, the Scottish Crofting Federation has expressed its “deep disappointment” at the Scottish decision to dodge the planned ANC support scheme, which, it claimed, would have sent much more money towards the crofting counties. For in-depth news on Scottish agriculture, see The Scottish Farmer this Friday or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk.