Pertshire farmers need help from Scottish Government

Nov 17 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A LACK of support for workers starting out in Perthshire’s agricultural sector needs to be reversed, it was claimed yesterday.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Elizabeth Smith is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce changes to its own rules and increase the help that is made available to support young farmers as they enter the industry.

Ms Smith has already told Holyrood that young farmers often feel discriminated against because regulations governing applications for financial assistance are “so tight”.

Under the Scotland Rural Development Programme’s regulations, young farmers are prevented from applying for aid until they are in place as either the head of, or partner in, an agricultural business.

Further complicating matters, the farm must also be registered on a national integrated administration and control system.

“Only 15 applicants have been successful since the scheme was introduced,” Tory MSP Ms Smith revealed yesterday.