Transition to new CAP will see fund gap bridged

SCOTTISH Government rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead yesterday confirmed that transitional arrangements were being put in place to bridge the gap between the old and the new common agricultural policies (CAP) to ensure continued support for Scottish farmers.

The initial plans, discussed by the EU Agricultural Council in Luxembourg, were welcomed by Lochhead as a significant step in the right direction.

The proposals allow certain aspects of the existing Scotland rural development programme (SRDP) to be rolled over into 2014, thus avoiding a gap between the existing CAP and its successor for key priority areas such as single farm payment, less favoured area support scheme (LFASS) and agri-environment schemes.

“Single farm payments and LFASS funding provide a lifeline for many farmers and SRDP provides valuable support for a range of rural development projects in Scotland which many farmers and rural communities make good use of,” said Lochhead. “So it is really good news that we have secured transitional arrangements for these schemes.”

While expressing relief at the deal so far, Lochhead did add he would continue to seek maximum flexibility and the availability to roll the whole programme. This would include bringing support for new entrants, food grants and village halls forward for another year to the beginning of 2015, to ensure we can support all our priority areas.

Yesterday’s move was also welcomed by NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller, pictured, who said that, while the union expected arrangements for single farm payment to roll over, the announcement also covered vital rural development measures in Scotland, particularly LFASS and existing agri-environment commitments.

But like Lochhead, he was worried funding for other items on the rural development wish list would remain difficult.