Chairman calls for National Reserve and Young Farmers claims to be processed

The newly appointed chairman of NFU Scotland’s New Generation group has called on Scottish Government to speed up payments to those who have applied to the new basic CAP support scheme under the National Reserve and Young Farmers top up.

In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead, Stirlingshire tenant farmer Mark Donald said that many of those farmers applying for basic support through these routes have been operating without Single Farm Payment for a number of years but appear to have been put to the back of the queue as the Scottish Government’s flawed £180 million IT delivery system continues to toil with processing applications.  

Mr Donald said: “It is a real kick in the teeth that despite assurances from the Cabinet Secretary to provide a level playing field, support for new and young farmers has not arrived and once again we are being disadvantaged.

“These payments are vital for businesses in their infancy and many of the farmers applying for support through the National Reserve or Young Farmers top up have been locked out of the system for years. If Scottish Government wants young, new, vibrant and dynamic farmers coming through then it needs to get payments out the door.”

“These applicants are justifiably expecting to be put on an equal footing with established businesses who have benefitted from historic payments but I have received a number of calls from new and young farmers, from across the country, who are yet to receive a single pound in CAP support. I am very concerned that the next generation are at the bottom of the pile once again.

“Obviously, the failure of Scottish Government’s £180 million IT delivery system is the worst possible start for a popular, progressive and flagship reform which was supposed to create a level playing field for all.

“But for the sake of those relying on funding from these schemes, I am calling on the Cabinet Secretary to clarify the situation by providing some figures on the percentage of National Reserve and Young Farmer applications which have received full or part payment.

“If, as we suspect, many of those at the start of their farming careers are being left at the back of the payment process, then I want a clear statement from the Cabinet Secretary on how and when he will address this.”

Notes to Editors

• For a photograph of Mark Donald please email media@nfus.org.uk
• Mark Donald, aged 36, has farmed 63 hectares grassland at Rhynaclach, Port of Mentieth with his fiancé Harriet since 2013.  The business started with seasonal lets before taking up this opportunity and the couple now run 500+ commercial ewes producing prime and store lambs and are seeking to start a pedigree cattle enterprise. Mark is a part-time contract stockman for a 90 cow hill beef herd managed for biodiversity gain as well as being agriculturally productive. He also shears during the summer.
• In light of the ongoing crisis in the rural economy and Scottish Government’s failure to deliver support payments due to its flawed £180 million IT system, NFU Scotland is asking farmers and crofters to rally at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 10 March.  The cashflow problems go wider than just farm businesses and NFUS is inviting representatives of other trades to join them. Those attending are asked to gather at the Scottish Parliament at 11am.  The rally will last one hour.
• If MSPs would like to meet with farmer representatives from their constituency or list area please contact Clare Slipper on clare.slipper@nfus.org.uk  Likewise, if members attending the event would like NFU Scotland to request a meeting with their MSP contact clare.slipper@nfus.org.uk
• If members of the press would like to attend the rally please contact media@nfus.org.uk
• A copy of NFU Scotland’s briefing to MSPs on its CAP payment delivery demands is available from media@nfus.org.uk

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006