NFU Scotland has welcomed the announcement that more than 9,000 eligible farmers and crofters in some of Scotland’s most remote and marginalised areas will start to receive payments through the lifeline Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) 2021 next week.
A lobbying priority for NFU Scotland, Scottish Government confirmed in its December 2021 budget that the LFASS fund would return to its 2018 level of £65 million and guaranteed the post-Brexit retention of this crucial scheme from 2021 to 2024.
NFU Scotland’s LFA Committee Chair Robert Macdonald said:
“A concerted lobbying effort by NFU Scotland to see the budget for the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme restored to £65 million has paid dividends and we welcome the boost that LFASS funding will commence to Scottish LFA farms and crofts next week.
All farmers face significant cost challenges for feed, fertiliser and fuel this spring and this support will ensure that those in our Less Favoured Areas will continue to deliver for the rural economy, local jobs, landscapes, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
“NFU Scotland securing the reinstatement of LFASS support levels to 100% of funds available in 2018 and the guaranteed retention of LFASS from 2021 to 2024 delivers stability to LFA businesses in the coming years.
“That certainty around post-Brexit funding ensures that those farmers and crofters operating in some of the most challenging parts of the country can plan and invest.”
