Crofting capital grants scheme saved 16/6/14
The Scottish Government has announced it will maintain an exclusive crofters’ grant scheme.
There were fears the vital funding scheme would be opened up to farmers under reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead listened to the voices of the crofting community in retaining the crofters’ fund.
Mr Allan added: “The funds will not be available more widely to small farmers outside the crofting counties, as had been speculated. This is an issue I had written to Mr Lochhead about in the past and am glad to see the right decision has been made on this.
“There are a number of other measures of particular interest, such as a grant of 65 Euros per calf, available only in the islands.
“There are new definitions of rough grazing, which will now be split between two further payment regions.
“The poorest rough grazing, in LFASS category A will be a separate region at around 10 Euros per hectare, but this will be coupled to sheep payments of around 25 Euros per ewe, subject to UK agreement to elements of these proposals.”
Mr Allan added: “Richard Lochhead has had to balance competing considerations from Europe, the UK, and most importantly from Scotland’s crofting and farming interests in reaching these proposals.
This will all continue to be discussed within the crofting community, but I believe there is much in (the) announcement that helps island crofters.”