The case for vibrant rural communities, underpinned by agriculture, was proven yet again this week.
Purchasing land to rewild large swathes of Scotland with borrowed cash – without a solid business plan to service that debt – has resulted in thousands of acres returning to the market.
While rewilding might be a buzzword in Scotland, hailed by some as a solution to our environmental challenges, maintaining economic activity will always be the bedrock of a healthy countryside.
The reversal on the sale of the three estates Beldorney, North Bunloit, and Ulva must serve as a wake-up call to urban activists and environmentalists. They need to further consider the impact of rewilding on our rural communities, farming, and the very people who have stewarded this land for generations.
The reported debt stands at £11m, but the three estates could well fetch more than what’s required to clear the company’s debts. The urgency suggests that there’s more to unfold in this Really Wild Show.
Another story that keeps on giving is Scotland’s LFASS saga. What was expected to be a routine nodding-through of legislation to permit LFASS payments for next year sparked a heated debate, with MSPs accusing each other of rudeness. The decision was delayed so that members can gather more evidence.
On one hand, the Scottish Government is seeking a legal basis to pay out SRDP scheme funds as the current framework is set to lapse.
Officials have warned that failing to pass the motion could jeopardise payments to farmers and crofters.
However, the root of this predicament lies in the chronically delayed future rural support scheme, which seems perpetually on the horizon.
Meanwhile good ship HMS ARIOB appears to be adrift.
This frozen stasis of upland support is the worst of both worlds.
We’re told that a rebasing of LFASS to correct anomalies and reflect accurate stocking figures isn’t possible because officials are too busy developing the future scheme – one that has yet to materialise.
To make matters worse, the processing of farm payments seems to be slipping, with only 74% completed this year, compared to 85% last year. Farmers and crofters whose payments get stuck in the system are understandably frustrated.
Yes, a tiny number of claimants are proven to have breached rules, and public funds must be reclaimed in those cases. However, in the majority of instances, innocent mistakes lead to only a warning letter or minor penalty, such as a 3% reduction. In these cases the bulk of the cash can be sent to claimants.
One of every farmer’s worst fears is a remapping exercise, where fields that have been static since being ploughed with a horse are suddenly challenged by the department. In nearly all these cases, there’s no ill intent, but the bureaucratic machinery can halt vital payments.
Meanwhile, invoices pile up, and the expectation of swift support payments, built up over recent years, remains unfulfilled.
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