EC brutal over LFAs says Finnie
9 June 2000
EC ‘brutal’ over LFAs says Finnie
By FWi staff
SCOTTISH farms minister Ross Finnie is “very nervous” about how future support will be paid to those farming a less favoured area (LFA).
LFAs account for 85% of Scotland.
Mr Finnie told FWithat the EU Commission was adamant that the switch from livestock headage payments to area aid, agreed as part of the Agenda 2000 CAP reform deal, must sever all links with stock numbers.
“Its not easy. The commission is being brutal, “he said.
Having recently had its original proposal rejected by Brussels, Mr Finnie admitted that the Scottish Executive was now under severe pressure.
The switch from Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance payments to area aid is due to take effect from Jan 1 2001.
Mr Finnie believed Scotland would meet that deadline.
But he said intransigence by the commission meant that it now seemed less likely the transition could be made without any big winners or losers.
“We are right up against it and I am very nervous about what might happen,” he said.
The original proposal was rejected because it continued to link support payments to the numbers of animals on each farm.
The uncertainty is also worrying Scottish NFUs Donnie Campbell, chairman of the crofting, hill farming and Highlands and islands committee.
He said: “We are now six short months away from the start of new support arrangements, and yet we are no wiser about the form they are likely to take.”