Scots cabinet secretary commits to early payments for farmers

Farmers in Scotland are set to receive Basic Payment Scheme and greening funding from early September onwards this year, in a bid to help farm businesses plan for the year ahead.

At the QMS Red Meat Conference in Edinburgh on 10 March, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Our payment strategy for 2026 will ensure the majority of payments will be paid at the earliest point in the year.

“I know that farming and food production is a long-term business working in production cycles which can span years.

See also: UK food labelling reform demanded by NFUS

“Being able to provide a longer term indication of government support is essential.”

Ms Gougeon also confirmed that Scotland’s Rural Support Plan, which is due to outline agricultural support up to 2030, is due to be published in the coming weeks.

She said: “Let me be very clear, through the rural support plan we will ensure that changes work for active farmers and crofters.

“We are determined to ensure support only goes to active farmers and crofters – those that are delivering the key outcomes and underpinning thriving rural communities.”

Ms Gougeon also took the opportunity to hit out at other governments for reducing support for farmers.

She stated that the Scottish government had “stood firm” in stark contrast to other governments, maintaining the “most generous direct support package” in the UK.

She added: “For anyone who wants some perspective on our policy choices, I would simply encourage you to speak to farmers in other parts of these islands.

“Farmers who no longer receive meaningful direct support, or voluntary coupled support for livestock production, or indeed LFA [less favoured area] support.

“The consensus is almost universal, things are better in Scotland.”

Processing scheme

The Scottish government also plans to launch a new Food and Drink Processing Scheme next week.

The £9m scheme will provide individual capital grants of up to £400,000 for businesses in the food and drink sector, with applications due to open soon.