Farmers and crofters will start to receive their share of around £20.9million in coupled support under the Scottish Beef Scheme (SBS) today.
Around 7,600 producers who applied for support before the Hogmanay deadline last year will get their share of funding under the final year of the current scheme.
The total payout of £20,963 is slightly down on last year due to a difference in the exchange rate and farm minister Richard Lochhead’s decision to transfer 9.5% of the Cap Pillar 1 direct support budget into Pillar 2.
However, more than 100 more producers will receive support – 7,603, compared with 7,472 the year before – and the number of animals claimed for has increased to 410,761, compared with 405,283 previously.
“I’m delighted that farmers will be getting their payments on time again,” said Mr Lochhead. “Scotch Beef is a prime product that is in demand all over the world – and last year was voted the nation’s favourite food and drink product. The Scottish Beef Scheme is aimed at supporting this dynamic sector.”
“This support is vital for farmers, but with every £1 of output from the agricultural sector generating an additional 80p in other parts of the Scottish economy, the £20.9million paid out today is clearly a welcome boost for all of Scotland. The Scottish Government has a good track record in meeting payment deadlines and I am pleased that has continued.”
The new 2015 beef scheme, which is expected to deliver support later this year, will affect all animals born on or after December 2, 2014.
Government had hoped to front-load payments under the new regime and offer more funding for the first 10 calves each producer applies for. However the European Commission ruled against this and a flat rate is expected to be paid across two schemes – one for mainland cattle and one for cattle from the islands.