Farmers and crofters will soon be able to apply for up to £20,000 towards the cost of purchasing new slurry equipment.
The Scottish Government says the next round of applications for its Sustainable Agricultural Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS) will open on April 26.
This year’s scheme, which has a funding pot of £5 million, will focus on providing funds towards the cost of buying equipment with a “recognised evidence base” to protect the water environment and reduce the farming sector’s impact on climate change and air quality.
Scottish Government said the support is focussed on low emission slurry spreading equipment and slurry store covers.
“Helping farmers, crofters and agricultural contractors to change their practice by ensuring they have access to the right equipment, tools and knowledge is key,” said Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon.
“Following the SACGS pilot, stakeholders called for better targeting and support to be given to equipment with a recognised evidence base; the 2022 SACGS round addresses these issues.”
She said farmers wishing to apply for the support from the scheme will do so through the Scottish Government’s new grant application service.
“Once successful applicants have been notified they will have until the end of Feb 2023 to purchase the items and claim their grant,” added Ms Gougeon.
“Anyone thinking of applying for the scheme should familiarise themselves with the guidance ahead of the scheme opening on the April 26.”
NFU Scotland vice-president, Andrew Connon, said: “While we welcome the opening of the scheme on April 26, and urge all farmers, crofters, and contractors to take note of the short application window, it is disappointing that NFU Scotland’s request for the scheme to be significantly expanded has been dismissed.”
Last month NFU Scotland (NFUS) called for extra government funding to help farmers cover the cost of meeting new slurry rules, which come into force over the next four years.
The union said significant investment will be needed on farms across Scotland to meet the rules, which require minimum slurry storage of 22 weeks for housed cattle and 26 weeks for housed pigs.
Full details about the SACGS scheme are online at ruralpayments.org and applications must be made by June 1.