New farmers in Scotland are sharing their part of £2 million in vital funding to revitalise the agricultural sector.
Payments totalling almost £925,000 will be paid to 640 farmers as part of the Scottish Government’s New Entrants Scheme.
The two-year fund was set up last May to support new entrants and deer farmers who are currently excluded from receiving single farm payments.
This is the second instalment of the payments with the first being in October 2013. The money will arrive in bank accounts by April 30.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“New entrants are the key to revitalising Scotland’s agricultural sector and this Scottish Government is committed to helping them enter the industry. By introducing new talent and ideas we can build on what is already a key sector to rural Scotland and the Scottish economy as a whole.
“I maintain that this money is no substitute for direct support and that Single Farm Payments should be accessible to new entrants. This funding does, however, act as a bridge until the new CAP arrives and the current flawed EU policy is corrected.
“Clearly, this can’t happen soon enough for and we will continue to provide this additional support in the meantime rather than nothing at all.”
Mr Lochhead today also announced the creation of a new starter farm in Tayside. A new entrant farmer will be given this opportunity at Gourdie farm near Dundee, which is managed by Forestry Commission Scotland.
