Press Release - NBA fully supports and congratulates Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead for preserving funding for farmers

NBA fully supports and congratulates Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead for preserving funding for farmers.

The National Beef Association (NBA) congratulates Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, for his reassurances to the farming sector following the Scottish Government’s Spending Review statement, made on Wednesday (September 21st)

In a letter to the industry, Mr Lochhead said he was working hard to ‘minimise the impact’ of spending cuts and remained ‘absolutely clear’ in his role of growing the rural economy. The NBA recognises this and supports his move to preserve funding that goes directly to the farming sector.

The NBA particularly congratulates Mr Lochhead on recognising the importance of preserving the Single Farm Payment, Scottish Beef Calf Scheme, Less Favoured Area payments and Land Management Options, at least until 2014 when the new CAP regime comes in.

The Association is also pleased to hear his reassurances that the Scottish Government will continue to negotiate on the EU budget for 2014-2020 and ensure Scotland and Scottish farmers get a ‘fair deal’ on the CAP and related payments.

Hamish McBean, NBA Scotland Chairman, said: “The NBA in Scotland was grateful for Mr Lochhead’s specific comments following the Spending Review, clarifying to farmers and rural communities exactly what would and wouldn’t be affected.

“We appreciate these difficult times require budgets to be cut but congratulate Mr Lochhead and his department for recognising the importance of certain key areas and their role in supporting Scottish farmers. Protecting items, such as the Beef Calf Scheme and LFA payments, is vital in helping Scottish farmers continue in the work they do, producing top quality Scotch beef, protecting the environment and supporting rural communities.”

For more information contact:-

Hamish McBean NBA Scotland Chairman   01309 651206 07729 357880

Details on the Scottish Spending Review can be downloaded at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/21104525/0. Information specific to Scottish farmers is on page 154 (page 165 of the PDF).