This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Moves to protect Scotland's farmers
23/05/2005
Government officials have been instructed to put in
place steps to protect farmers who have entered into
agri-environment schemes.
This move comes following concerns from Rural
Development Minister Ross Finnie about the impact of the
recently announced changes to agri-environment scheme
rates.
Mr Finnie said:
"I have been very concerned over the last few days about
the impact on existing members of agri-environment schemes
of the proposed changes in scheme rates and that is why I
asked officials to meet with stakeholders at the earliest
opportunity once concerns were raised.
"Legislation requires that we avoid double funding and
the review of payment rates was intended to address the
implications of the new Single Farm Payment.
"I am now clear that the publication of proposed new
payment rates was not fully thought through by officials
and that this has undermined confidence within the industry
towards these schemes. I very much regret that and have
asked that the schemes be reviewed further.
"Any new payment schemes will be fully discussed with
the stakeholders. In the meantime I have instructed
officials to protect existing scheme participants who would
not be subject to double funding through the new Single
Farm Payment."