Attack on ‘slipper’ farming welcomed
A PLAN to tackle the exploitation of agricultural subsidies by wealthy absentee landlords has been backed by north MSP Jean Urquhart.
She welcomed the Scottish Governments efforts to “put wellies before slippers” by targeting support towards active farmers and away from wealthy owners of unfarmed land.
Ms Urquhart was also pleased Ministers intend to extend extra assistance to new entrants to farming. The measures are part of reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy announced at Holywood by Rural Affairs Minister, Richard Lochhead.
“Richard Lochhead has shown a real ‘wellies before slippers’ attitude, putting working farmers first and tackling the exploitation of subsidies by wealthy absentee landlords.
“The decision to cap payments at £400,000 puts an end to million-pound payouts to the very wealthiest landowners, making more available for smaller farms with bigger needs,” she said.
“All in all, these policies are a remarkable achievement given the funding cuts imposed by both the EU and UK, and the balancing act of serving the diverse but often vulnerable Scottish farming community,” added Ms Urquhart.
