Green Light for LFA Payments

Scotland's Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced that he will be issuing £61 million in Less Favoured Area support to hill farmers over the next fortnight. This follows progression of Scotland's Rural Development Programme in Brussels.

NFUS Head of Rural Policy, Jonnie Hall, said:

"In December, the Scottish Government made it clear to Scottish farmers that LFA payments should be made this January. Since that day we have been looking for the Cabinet Secretary to honour that pledge and it appears we are now getting there.

"We now understand that these payments could be made within the next two weeks and we are urging the Scottish Government, given the critical importance of LFA money to farmers and crofters, to make sure this is done.

"LFA support has taken on a particular significance this year given the horrendous fall-out from the FMD outbreak. These really will be seen as lifeline payments."