Scots set out CAP plan considerations
The Common Agricultural Policy deal could lead to more support for Scottish beef producers and new entrants to farming, according to Scotland’s rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead.
Speaking ahead of a debate on the CAP in the Scottish Parliament on 3 October Mr Lochhead outlined his considerations on how to implement the CAP deal north of the border.
Mr Lochhead said: “I know farmers are keen to have as much certainty as possible and so I would like to outline my thinking at this stage about some of the important decisions that we will be making here in Scotland.
“Implementing greening and moving from historic to area-based payments are among the big CAP reform challenges facing Scottish farming. A lot of work is already underway to help determine the best solution for Scotland and I am confident that what we implement will be positive for agriculture, food production, and the environment.”
Among his proposals was a plan to use Scotland’s entire allocation of coupled support in the beef sector and financial support for new entrants.
Lochhead’s considerations on CAP spending
- “serious consideration” is being given to devoting the full allocation to beef if Scotland’s coupled support ceiling is set at 8%.
- Managing the transition from historic payments to area-based payments for those currently receiving high payments, while ensuring hill farmers, new entrants and deer farmers receive appropriate support.
- Having either two or three regions for the Pillar 1 Basic Payment scheme Setting minimum activity levels in Scotland that keep out slipper farmers but provide support for genuine extensive hill farmers.
- Taking into account the impact of greening on the arable sector, with judgement being reserved on the merits of setting up a Scottish-specific scheme
- Arguments for and against reducing big farm payments.
But the minister criticised the UK government for its handling of EU budget negotiations which he said would make funding for Scottish farms more difficult. “The reality is that Scotland is likely to have lower rates per hectare than every member state in Europe, which is why I am continuing to push for a fair deal for Scottish farmers from the UK’s internal CAP allocation,” said Mr Lochhead.
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