Sheep subsidy cheque on way
Sheep subsidy cheque on way
SCOTTISH sheep farmers can expect another subsidy cheque in May. It will amount to about £1.80/ewe in less favoured areas and £1.40 in the rest of the country. The sums reflect agrimonetary compensation for the strength of sterling against the k, payable under a one-year deal.
Difficulties in Brussels in confirming the exact amounts payable prompted the Scottish Office to go ahead in the past fortnight with final sheep annual premium payments for 1998 and to make the agrimonetary payment next month.
The continuing strength of sterling against the k is already worrying farming leaders, concerned that levels across the whole subsidy range in Britain will be devalued in 2000 unless the agrimonetary compensation deal can be extended. *