Agri-environment payments secure for lifetime

DEFRA has confirmed that agri-environment payments, partly funded by the EU, are secure for their promised lifetime regardless of if that extends beyond the Brexit date.

Odile Evans

13 September 2017

Agri-environment payments secure for lifetime

The Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 revised budget forsees an overspend of £15m in the Forestry Grant Scheme and £2m in supports to New Entrants.

Agri-environment payments under pillar two of the Common Agricultural Policy have been guaranteed for their lifetimes – regardless of Brexit, a spokesperson for DEFRA has said. These schemes will be funded even if their duration continues after the UK has left the EU.

Agri-environment payments under pillar two of the Common Agricultural Policy have been guaranteed for their lifetimes – regardless of Brexit, a spokesperson for DEFRA has said.

These schemes will be funded even if their duration continues after the UK has left the EU.

However, LFASS applications in 2019 are not included in this guarantee, as the application window will close after the UK has left the EU.

“We want to provide stability for Scotland’s farmers as we leave the EU, and that’s why we have guaranteed £42m through the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme,” a government spokesperson told Farmers Journal Scotland.

“We have also underlined our support for farmers across the UK by committing the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament.”

SRDP budget

Meanwhile, the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 revised budget foresees an overspend of £15m in the Forestry Grant Scheme and £2m in supports to New Entrants.

Figures obtained by Farmers Journal Scotland show that all other parts of the SRDP budget, including LFASS and the Beef Efficiency Scheme, have been revised downwards from original budget figures.

The revised indicative SRDP budget, which shows an total decrease of £109m (8%) from original plans, has been sent to Brussels for approval.

“Clearly Brexit is by far the biggest threat to rural Scotland, and we have continued to seek a guarantee from the UK Government on future funding,” a government spokesperson said.

“In the meantime, the Scottish Government remains determined to take a strategic approach to maintaining the SRDP 2014-2020 budget, ensuring that we maximise the EU funds, while continuing support for key government priorities.”

In monetary terms, the biggest fall in the SRDP budget is the £42m decrease in the Agri-environmental climate (AEC) scheme. This covers Slurry Stores; peatland restoration; and Improving Public Access.

While over 40% of Scotland’s suckler cows are included in the Beef Efficiency Scheme, the budget has been reduced by nearly 45% (£20m). A total of £17m under this scheme has been committed to date.

However, in percentage terms the Small Farmers Grant has seen the largest fall in budget. It has been reduced by two thirds, the value of that is just £4m.

The government said that the forestry grant scheme has supported 13,000ha of woodland creation, plus £3.5m of funding towards priority habitats and species.

No approvals have been issued for the environment co-operative action fund because the scheme, as originally designed, cannot be taken forward.

Work is underway with a view to revising and re-launching the scheme later this year for contracts to be awarded for expenditure in 2018- 2019.

“It’s disappointing to see that the budgets have been revised down,” National Sheep Association chair John Fyall said. “The lack of uptake is in part due to poorly designed schemes which are difficult to access and apply for.”