NFU Scotland expressed concerns yesterday at possible changes to the Cap budget from which less-favoured area (LFA) support is paid.

A European Commission leak on Cap reforms suggests the cash post-2013 will be distributed from the same budget as single farm payments – the so-called pillar one.

The £64million paid to Scotland's 11,000 LFA recipients has, however, traditionally been from the Cap's rural development arm, the so-called pillar two. NFU Scotland's LFA committee wants the aid to remain as part of rural development.

Committee chairman Sandy Tulloch added: “LFA support is distinct from other types of support available to farmers and crofters and should remain so. Although it underpins much of the agricultural activity in the LFA, it is much more than simply a production, agri-environment or social payment.

“LFA payments compensate for the natural disadvantage by covering the additional costs and income forgone related to the natural handicaps faced by many farmers. As such, they merit being viewed as distinct and separate to any area-based direct payment scheme such as the single farm payment.

“Rolling LFA support into pillar one runs the unacceptable risk that incomes could fall, businesses could collapse and land abandonment and rural depopulation may accelerate. That is not an acceptable vision for the large areas of Scotland regarded as disadvantaged.”

The leaked document on CAP reforms can be seen here

http://capreform.eu/the-commission-communication-leak-in-full/ .