FERGUS EWING has pledged to find 'other routes' by which the hill farming support provided by the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme can continue at 100% of its current level.

Speaking after his participation in NFU Scotland’s LFA Committee in Stirling last Friday, alongside representatives of both the National Sheep Association and the Scottish Beef Association, the Rural Economy Secretary said: “This year’s LFASS payments will be at 100%, which we are entitled to do so under the EU rules. For scheme year 2019 (payment spring 2020) the rules stipulate a max of 80%, but I am determined to find a means of providing funding by other routes which maintains the real level of support at 100% approximately rather than see funding go down to 80%, which would apply were we simply to follow the LFASS rules and do nothing more.

“We shall also for scheme year 2020 (paid spring 2021) apply that determination to avoid funding reducing to 40% as stipulated by EU rules, again finding a working solution to deliver funding through other routes. This means, that as far as it is possible, the real level of funding support will be maintained at approximately 100% for the next two scheme years," said Mr Ewing.

“Importantly, as I have previously said, any additional funding that could arise from Lord Bew’s review will be prioritised for this purpose – if there is sufficient funding to allow for the reinstatement," he added, in reference to the ongoing Westminster review into the disputed distribution of EU 'convergence' money.

"I strongly believe that the UK Government should return the £160 million due to Scottish farmers as soon as possible. It was Scottish farmers who earned that money, so it is only right that it should be returned to them for their benefit," he said.

“It should be remembered though, unlike England and Wales, who discontinued their equivalent schemes some years ago, Scotland continues to provide additional financial support due to the difficulties hill and upland area farmers and crofters experience. During the meeting I reiterated my determination to explore every available option to enable us to continue funding this vital support at 100% right through to 2021 – providing certainty and stability in the face of Brexit."

NFU Scotland is adamant that any cut to LFASS funding is unacceptable and has pledged to continue to work with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials in a bid to return funding for all future scheme years to the full £65 million. Although European Regulations limit the amount that can be paid directly through LFASS, the union believes that the £13 million shortfall must be found elsewhere to maintain the vital cash njection to remote and fragile rural communities.

Chair of the union’s LFA committee, hill farmer Robert Macdonald, from Grantown on Spey, and said: “Future LFASS funding is a huge issue for NFUS. The fact that the Cabinet Secretary was keen to attend our meeting at such short notice is recognition of how seriously Scottish Government are taking the matter.

“The ‘absolute’ commitment made last week by the Cabinet Secretary that LFA support payments will be at least equivalent to 80% of 2018 LFASS payments in 2019 and 2020 was a significant shift and for many of our members, who were staring into the abyss of a huge cut in LFA payments in three years’ time, that has brought some relief.

“However, any shortfall in LFA support remains completely unacceptable to NFUS. As things stand, funding for the next three years stands at 100%, 80% and 80% of the current £65 million level. We are committed to working with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials to identify routes to making up any shortfall and to fully restore the LFASS budget back to £65million for all future scheme years."