This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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More Information on Farm Subsidy Payments to be Published
12/01/2005
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie today confirmed
that more information about farm subsidy payments will be
published under the Freedom of Information (Scotland)
Act.
Mr Finnie said Scottish Executive policy will be to
disclose information about receipts and amounts of subsidy
under the new single farm payment and new schemes under the
rural development regulation.
Speaking at the Environment and Rural Development
Committee, Mr Finnie said:
"The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act increases the
openness and accountability of public administration in
Scotland. People have a right to find out how their taxes
were spent.
"The new system of CAP support provides public funds in
return for farmers meeting environmental and agricultural
standards, I believe it is right that people should know
more about how this money is spent. This will also help
farmers demonstrate the public benefits they are
delivering.
"For the new single farm payment and new schemes under
the rural development regulation we will make it clear to
farmers when they apply that our policy will be to disclose
information about payments.
"For historic information, the situation is more complex
as some of the information that has been provided by
farmers may be exempt from disclosure. The Scottish
Executive will individually assess each request for
information we receive for pre SFP schemes.
"Let me be clear however, ultimately I would like to see
all CAP subsidy information disclosed."
The single farm payment came into effect on Saturday,
January 1, 2005.