10/12/07
NFU Scotland President, Jim McLaren, has written to Mariann
Fischer Boel, the EU’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commissioner,
to urge her to ensure that delays in approving Scotland’s
Rural Development Plan (SRDP) 2007-2013 do not jeopardise crucial
Less Favoured Area (LFA) payments for Scottish farmers.
Jim McLaren, President of NFU Scotland
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The Scottish Government announced yesterday that approval of the
SRDP, which was expected this month, was not likely to happen until
January 2008. Scottish farmers, however, were expecting to receive
LFA money this December and many will have made financial arrangements
in accordance with this.
Jim McLaren, President of NFU Scotland, said:
“I have written to Commissioner Fischer Boel asking her
to do all in her power to deliver the assurances the Scottish Government
requires to allow LFA payments to be made. These payments are much
needed by those who farm in the most disadvantaged areas of Scotland.
NOTES
• Submission of the UK’s four Rural Development
Plans was delayed earlier this year as issues surrounding the European
Parliament’s opposition to voluntary modulation were resolved;
• Scotland’s Rural Development Plan was finally
submitted to the EU on 25 June, however, it will not be considered
until January owing to ‘technicalities.’
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