This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ross Finnie announces extension of closing date for environmental applications
26/03/2001
The closing date for applications to the Rural Stewardship Scheme will be extended to the end of May, Ross Finnie said today.
The Minister for Environment and Rural Development said:
"The delay in receiving EC approval for the Rural Stewardship proposals means that it has not been possible to finalise the domestic Regulations in order to enable the Scheme to open for applications as originally planned.
"This position has been exacerbated by foot and mouth disease which means that advisers are unable to get onto farms to help farmers draw up their conservation proposals. Farmers, understandably, also have other priorities at present.
"Extending the period for submission of applications will give farmers and their advisers some breathing space and enable them to prepare good quality plans."
BACKGROUND
The Rural Stewardship Scheme is part of the Scotland Rural Development Plan which was submitted to the EC for approval in December1999. The negotiations on the RDP (which also include the LFASS proposals) were protracted and the RDP was not approved until December 2000.
Because the RSS rules stipulate that Environmental Audits and Moorland Management Plans will be paid for regardless of whether the application is accepted for funding, the Executive cannot accept applications until Regulations have been agreed by the Parliament. The delay in obtaining EC approval has affected the timetable for introducing Regulations. This, combined with the effect of FMD restrictions has led to the decision to extend the closing date for receipt of applications. The extension will not adversely affect the ability of the Department's local staff to carry out the necessary pre-approval inspections and should give farmers and their advisers more time to prepare good quality applications.
News Release: SE0805/2001
26 Mar 2001