It was announced today that the 2018 Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) budget will match that of the 2017 Scheme and that farmers and crofters will now receive 100% of their 2018 LFASS grant rather than a 2018 parachute payment worth 80% as was previously announced.

CAP regulations required LFASS to change in 2018, the options being either a move to Areas of Natural Constraint scheme or to maintain the LFASS scheme with a parachute payment of 80%.

Flexibilities adopted by the European Commission on the 12 December will be used by the Scottish Government to defer changes to the LFASS scheme by a year until 2019.

NFUS has welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government’s budget which will safe guard vital payments to many hill and upland farmers and crofters in Scotland.  

The Union have been seeking clarity and swift action from the Scottish Government over the last few months and are pleased to see that they have done just that.

The re-instatement of the LFASS 2018 budget, which has returned to £65 million, is of significance considering the downward pressure being put on many other of the Scottish Government’s spending areas.

Despite this welcome news, there is still work to be done as NFU Scotland continues to try to find a solution beyond the 2018 LFASS.

It is important that the union works with the Scottish Government to ensure active farmers and crofters can continue to deliver for local communities, their local economies, and the habitats, biodiversity and landscapes that are only delivered by extensive, yet active, grazing systems.

Following on from the Scottish Government’s Budget, NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy said: “NFUS welcomes today’s announcement that the 2018 LFASS budget has been re-instated and that the Scottish Government has used the option to defer the use of parachute payments.

“Given the financial pressures facing many cattle and sheep producers in the LFA this decision will be warmly welcomed.  We will continue to work with the Scottish Government on the arrangements for LFASS 2019 and beyond.”

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Contact Douglas Ross on 0131 472 4108