This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Land management priorities set
25/02/2005
Farmers will be able to draw on a new package of
measures to protect the environment and improve their
businesses, Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross
Finnie announced today.
Setting out the priorities for the agriculture industry,
the Minister confirmed that the core strands of a renewed
Agriculture Strategy would be underpinned by a support
scheme.
The Land Management Contracts Menu Scheme will provide a
new way of encouraging farmers to carry out activities
which are good for the environment, for their business, and
for the wider public.
At the NFU Scotland's annual meeting, Mr Finnie
said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to creating a
prosperous and sustainable agriculture industry that
achieves the highest standards of stewardship of the
land.
"The Menu Scheme announced today will deliver public
goods for public money, from improved biodiversity and
water quality to closer links between farming and the wider
public. It also provides incentives to meet market demand,
for example through focusing on quality production.
"The wide range of measures outlined in the scheme
provide farmers with the choice to make management
decisions appropriate to their businesses. Measures, such
as the five year plan to raise standards in animal health
and welfare, place Scotland at the forefront of
international developments."
The Menu Scheme marks the first step towards introducing
Land Management Contracts (LMCs) over the next few
years.
The scheme will be funded from the proceeds of
modulation and UK match funding. The total rates of
modulation will be 6.5 per cent in 2005 and 8.5 per cent in
2006. This total rate will fund the new scheme and existing
agri-environment and forestry schemes.
The LMC Menu Scheme will be introduced this year,
following approval by the European Commission. It marks the
first substantive step towards introducing LMCs in
Scotland.
LMCs are a key commitment in the Forward Strategy for
Scottish Agriculture (2002).
The LMC model has 3 tiers:
- Tier 1 is the Single Farm Payment and cross
compliance, securing a basic level of environmental
protection, food safety and animal welfare.
- Tier 2 is the new Menu Scheme which will deliver
widespread benefits leading to economic, social and
environmental improvement.
- Tier 3 will deliver tailored benefits, and will
build on existing schemes -including the Rural
Stewardship Schemes and forestry schemes. Its
development will need to take account of negotiations
on the new Rural Development Regulation for the next
programming period 2007-2012.
Farmers and land managers will be able to participate in
the LMC Menu Scheme on a non-competitive basis. This means
there is no prior approval process. Farmers will calculate
their individual allowance, based on the land area they
declare on their IACS forms. They can then receive payment
up to this amount by selecting, and carrying out, options
from the menu.
Application forms and guidance will be sent to all IACS
registered farmers towards the end of March. Completed
forms will need to be returned by May 16, 2005 and payments
will be made from April 2006.