Scots unveil CAP rural development plans
Scotland has unveiled plans for its rural development programme for the period 2014-2020.
Proposals include continuing funding for less favoured areas, expanding Scotland’s existing advisory service, funding for rural broadband and a new agri-environment climate scheme.
Announcing the plans, rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead said: “A vibrant rural Scotland is one of our greatest assets and today I set out my vision for the new SRDP – an ambitious programme that will delivery our key priorities of sustainable economic growth, environmental sustainability and vibrant rural communities.”
The proposals for the seven-year programme – which is worth more than £1.3bn from 2015-2020 – are now the subject of a formal consultation which ends on 28 February 2014.
Funding will come from European rural development funds, domestic funds and applying a proposed modulation rate of 9.5% on farmers’ single farm payments.
The planned elements of the programme are (with proposed budget in brackets):
- Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (£459m): Continued support for less favoured areas, a replacement scheme and designation will be in place by 2018
- Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (£355m): Targeted support for land managers to undertake management and capital work for environmental purposes
- Forestry Grant Scheme (£252m): A range of grants for woodland creation, agroforestry, tree health, woodland improvement, processing and marketing and sustainable management of forests
- New Entrants Scheme (£20m): Start-up grants for new entrant young farmers of up to 40 years old (as set by Europe) and one-to-one advice
- Crofting and Small Farm Support Scheme (£20m): Scheme will be open to all small farms with a suggested range of 3–50ha. This will include support for capital grants
- Support for Co-operative Action (£10m): Scheme will provide support for the development of co-operative projects
- Small Rural Business Support (£20m): Start-up grants for new non-agricultural enterprises and business development grants
- Food and Drink Scheme (£70m): Support for small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and drink sector
- LEADER (£66m): LEADER will continue to fund projects agreed by Local Action Groups (LAGS)
- Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) (£10m): KTIF will assist in the sharing and implementation of innovative ways of improving working practices
- Advisory Service (£20m): The proposal is to expand the existing advisory service. It will provide advice and assistance to farmers, crofters, forest holders and other land managers
- Broadband: It is proposed there will be about £9m of support for broadband