Rural Payments and Services

Scottish Government responds to news that support payments for dairy farmers are due to start today.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“Even though we had no say over our share of this EU aid money, these initial payments will no doubt come as welcome relief to Scottish dairy producers who continue to face tough trading conditions and low farm gate prices as a result of volatility in the global market. In addition to this short-term support, we must continue our efforts apace to open up new markets for Scotland’s fantastic dairy produce and I have just returned from the USA and Canada where I was promoting the new Scottish Dairy Brand to importers and retailers.

“I recognise and am sensitive to the cash flow issues facing Scottish agriculture as a whole, and the Scottish Government continues to work flat out to be able to start making Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) basic payments by the end of this year. I am meeting industry representatives tomorrow (Tuesday November 17, 2015), when I will update them on the latest situation. But there is no getting away from the fact, however, that Scotland has once again been short-changed by the UK Government when it comes to sharing EU funds within the UK.”

You can read the DEFRA news release on dairy support payments here.