Extra financial support for Scottish farmers

Payments worth £19.1 million have been made to almost 6,000 farmers and crofters in Scotland’s most remote and rural areas from the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS).

The majority will receive balance payments on top of the 95% loan paid between January and March this year.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“It is vital that we continue to support those who most need it during these unprecedented times, and this Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding supports farmers and crofters on some of Scotland’s most challenging land.

“For a long time, Scotland was the only part of the UK to offer this extra support for farmers and crofters through the CAP scheme. We know it can be a lifeline payment for many and at this difficult time it will provide a welcome boost to incomes.

“I would encourage farmers and crofters to use their CAP payments to pay their bills and make investments for the seasons ahead to keep the food supply chain moving and keep money flowing through Scotland’s rural economy.”

Background

Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) is claimed by just under 11,000 farmers and crofters and is worth £52.1 million in support for 2019. Over 10,300 farmers and crofters were offered a National LFASS loan in 2019 worth over £44.87 million. The loans offered were calculated at 95% of the potential payment due. 8,131 farmers and crofters (79% of offers) accepted the Scottish Government’s offer of an advance loan receiving payments worth over £40.77 million (91% of money offered).