Livestock Committee Chair writes to Scottish Government
NFU Scotland is calling again on the Scottish Government to urgently bring forward details on its proposed reform of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS).
The SSBSS is invaluable to Scotland’s iconic red meat sector as it ensures farmers and crofters around the country are encouraged to keep producing beef calves to underpin the production of quality Scotch Beef. After successful lobbying by NFU Scotland, Scottish Government has confirmed that the scheme, currently worth £40 million, will be a feature of future support arrangements in Scotland.
Payments to eligible calves under the current scheme year are imminent but proposed changes to the scheme rules for 2025 and beyond, including the introduction of calving interval rules, have yet to be shared with the industry.
NFU Scotland wants the reformed SSBSS to include the following:
- The budget should be retained and continue to be delivered in the same cyclical manner,
- Split payments between meeting existing eligibility criteria and new conditionality,
- A mechanism for recognition of pre-registration of stillborn calves,
- For a ‘force majeure’ option to be available for any producers affected by unforeseen or exceptional circumstances.
NFU Scotland understands that the existing 30-day retention period will remain as part of the reform. As we approach the height of spring calving, the industry remains unclear on the new rules and is at risk of not meeting potential calving interval criteria.
NFU Scotland believes that, regrettably, there will already be a very small number of cows who lost their calves at birth and are therefore not registered to trigger next year’s calving interval period. It has asked for a mechanism for registration of stillborn calves integrated into the reform to ensure that a cow is not penalised in future years for not having a full-term pregnancy recognised.
It is also currently common industry practice that when a calf sadly dies before the 27-day legal time limit for tagging and registration, it is often not registered, therefore no record of the dam’s calving date will exist. As NFUS understand the proposals, the next calf's eligibility will depend on the dam's calving interval falling within the new conditionality which is yet to be announced by the Scottish Government..
In February, NFU Scotland wrote to Scottish Government calling for full details of the reform to be made available. NFU Scotland has written to Scottish Government again this week.
NFU Scotland Livestock Chair Hugh Fraser said: “We continue to ask for clarity on this vital scheme for those producing beef calves in Scotland. It is not feasible, fair nor realistic for the industry to operate on speculation.
“While the market for beef is currently strong, this follows many years of poor prices which has resulted in a drop in the size of the beef herd and declining primary producer confidence. This scheme offers invaluable stability in a sector which continually battles uncertainty in market returns.
“With payments under the 2023 scheme expected in bank accounts soon, the importance of a clear and timely announcement on arrangements for the new scheme year are essential. Scottish Government must give explicit clarity on their expectations for suckler beef producers so that we can have some certainty.
“It is recognised that this reform is necessary to protect the future of Voluntary Coupled Support (VCS) schemes such as SSBSS. However, we cannot continue to operate on uncertainty.” Ends
Notes for Editors
- NFU Scotland believes the value of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) to Scotland’s iconic red meat sector is hugely significant as it ensures producers around the country are encouraged to keep producing beef calves to underpin the production of quality Scotch Beef. After successful lobbying by NFU Scotland, Scottish Government has confirmed that the scheme will be a feature of future support arrangements in Scotland and that the scheme budget will be retained with the inclusion of an island uplift.
- The scheme budget of £40 million is split with £34 million for calves born on the mainland and £6 million for calves born on the islands. The payment rates are determined by the number of eligible calves claimed. Details on this year’s rates are expected shortly.
Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006