Rural Payments and Services

Payments worth around £38 million to Scottish beef producers will arrive in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming week, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said.

The support scheme is aimed at specialist beef producers breeding beef calves from suckler cows with payments being made to around 7,000 eligible producers by 30 June 2017.

Mr Ewing said:

“Our suckler herds form the backbone of quality beef production in Scotland and they make a vital contribution to the sector’s success – it is important that we support that contribution. I can confirm that we have started to process direct farm payments under the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme and these will land in farmers' bank accounts in the coming week. Payments of £92 per mainland animal and £140 per island animal will help support farmers who are producing the quality meat products that
Scotland is famed for across the globe.

“Supporting the rural economy remains my absolute priority and today’s announcement demonstrates how we are getting on with that job.”