Scottish Lib Dems to lead debate on SNP’s botched farming scheme

Scottish Liberal Democrats will today (Thursday 22nd January) lead a debate in the Scottish Parliament about the SNP government’s botched farm funding scheme, as they called on ministers to explain the rationale behind decisions that left many small farms, crofts and island farms without any support.

The Scottish Government’s Future Farming Investment Scheme was supposed to help farmers buy new machinery, improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

Crucially, ministers promised that small farms, crofts, islanders and tenanted farmers would be prioritised in the awarding of this funding.

Research by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, however, uncovered that 91% of the small farms and crofts to apply for this scheme got absolutely nothing.

Orkney businesses received just 3.48% of total funding, while Shetland businesses received just 1.88%.

Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney Liam McArthur will also use the debate to highlight mounting fears that future ‘greening’ proposals are unworkable in an Orkney context, putting at risk production without delivering any meaningful environmental benefit.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur said:

“The Scottish Government promised that this scheme would prioritise small farms, crofts and islanders, but that clearly did not happen.

“Across Scotland, including in my own Orkney constituency, there has been both anger and confusion about the outcome of the process, with many farmers being left in the dark as to why their applications were rejected.

“This was supposed to be a good news story for Scotland’s agricultural community, but it turned into a complete mess.

“I hope that ministers will use today’s debate to be crystal clear about how exactly funding was allocated and provide assurances that lessons have been learned.

“Ministers also need to look again at planned proposals for Ecological Focus Areas, which look unworkable in an Orkney context. The risk is that they drive down beef production while delivering no real environmental benefit. In other words, a lose-lose situation."

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland Beatrice Wishart said:

“This botched scheme denied support to almost all of the farmers it was meant to be helping. The SNP broke their promise to help young islander entrants, small farms and crofts, who all feel hugely let down by the scheme. In the end, it was a roll of the dice as to whether they got anything.

“The SNP wasted farmers’ money and time in encouraging them to apply, and it is no wonder so many of them feel let down.

“They deserve better. Scottish Liberal Democrats have got a realistic plan to get things done for our rural and agricultural communities. In May, you can vote for that plan by backing us on your ballot paper.”