Scots set to receive LFA cash from 15 March
© Rex Farmers and crofters in Scotland will start receiving Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments from Friday (15 March), the Scottish government has confirmed.
In total, £56m will be paid out to 10,190 claimants, many of whom farm in some of the most remote and challenging parts of the country.
Rural Affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said the payments were vital for Scotland’s farm businesses and would inject badly-needed funds into rural communities.
“Poor weather and rising costs have combined to make these challenging times for Scotland’s farmers and crofters – that’s even more true for those working in areas of natural disadvantage.”
About 85% of Scotland’s agricultural area is classed as LFAs, compared with just 15% in England.
The start to payments is the same as last year and Mr Lochhead said all payments would be made as “quickly as possible”.