SUPPORT payments to Scotland's hill farmers are to reduce by 20% this year – but Rural Economy Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing has now given his 'absolute commitment' to find a way to prevent that figure going any lower in subsequent years.
Earlier this week, it had been suggested that 2019's shrinkage of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme budget to 80% of the current £65 million would be followed in 2020 with a further reduction to just 40% of that figure.
Announcing those cuts, ScotGov stressed that they came as a result of compulsory changes to the EU's regulations governing LFASS, and insisted that the pain would have come sooner and harder had it not lobbied hard in Brussels for a gradual exit from a scheme that was already defunct everywhere else, including the rest of the UK.
However, speaking during Thursday's Holyrood debate on Scottish agriculture policy, Mr Ewing veered away from that earlier position, and instead bolstered his earlier promise to keep pushing for further revisions and flexibility in setting the LFASS rates for 2020, up to the possibility that they may yet be returned to their previous level.
“As I have previously said, any additional funding arising from the convergence review, will be prioritised for this purpose – if there is sufficient monies, we will effectively reinstate LFASS funding levels to 100%," he told the parliament. "In the meantime, I remain absolutely committed to maintaining LFASS at the 80% funding level into 2020.
“I am acutely aware of the continuing importance of LFASS for farmers and crofters operating in the most remote and marginalised areas. Unlike England and Wales, who discontinued their equivalent schemes some years ago, Scotland continues to provide this additional financial support that acknowledges the difficulties for some farmers, particularly in hill and upland areas, and crofters.
“I was pleased last year that the EU delayed the changes to LFASS, meaning that we were able to continue to pay 100%, helping rural businesses with cash flow for the coming year," said Mr Ewing. "However, the reduction to payment rates for 2019 and 2020 is required by EU law, though the change in payment levels will not affect farmers and crofters who receive the minimum payment of £385, as this is not being reduced.
“The continuing uncertainty over Brexit is not helpful. We are having to transition out of LFASS without being able to create a new system to move into. I consulted industry bodies and key influencers on moving to the Area of Natural Constraint scheme shortly after the EU referendum vote and the majority response was not to do so, particularly in the light of Brexit," he added.
NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick wasted no time in cementing Mr Ewing's words as the industry's ongoing expectation: “NFUS welcomes the ‘absolute’ commitment made today by the Cabinet Secretary that LFA support payments will be at least 80% of 2018 payments in 2019 and 2020. 
“However, any shortfall in LFA support remains completely unacceptable to NFUS. It is imperative that the Cabinet Secretary and his officials continue to work with ourselves, to make up any shortfall and to fully restore the LFASS budget back to £65million," added Mr McCornick. “The union’s position is that the LFASS payments are absolutely vital and any cut in them must be avoided at all costs."
Scottish Conservative rural economy spokesman Donald Cameron also seized on the announcement: “Only a few days ago the cabinet secretary suggested that LFASS payments would drop to 40% of current levels over the next two years. He has today, clarified his position, in a screeching U-turn under intense pressure, as cuts to LFASS regardless of when they happen would have a catastrophic impact on Scotland’s hill farmers and crofters  – this has nothing to do with Brexit and to suggest otherwise is to play politics with farmers livelihoods.”
Mr Ewing rejected this interpretation of the situation: “I have made clear countless times that I am determined that LFASS should not go below 80%. The press release to which you refer simply alludes to the fact that the EU, at the December council meeting that I attended, decided to lift their proposed reduced 2020 rate from 20% to 40%. 
"That is modest improvement but it is not enough, that is crystal clear and I have always made that as clear as I have done today.”

This article has been amended from the printed version in The Scottish Farmer this week, which went to press on wednesday, before Mr Ewing's Thursday clarification/u-turn (delete as applicable)

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