FINNIE RESPONDS TO STEVENSON ON SUPPORT FOR YOUNG FARMERS

Banff & Buchan SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson is urging farmers to respond to a Scottish Executive consultation in the coming months on the Scottish Rural Development Plan.

Mr Stevenson was speaking after receiving a response from Farming Minister Ross Finnie on support for new entrants to agriculture. The SNP MSP had queried why a support scheme existed in Northern Ireland for young farmers, but not in Scotland.

It emerged that the Department for Agriculture & Rural Development in Northern Ireland had launched such a scheme last month. The Northern Irish scheme supports the establishment of young farmers under 40 years of age by providing an interest subsidy on loans.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“I know that there is support for such a scheme as the issue of support for young farmers is one which is raised with me frequently.

“I wrote to the Minister on the matter seeking to know when young farmers in the North-east will have access to the same support as their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

“Mr Finnie has responded that his department is starting to draw up plans for the new Scottish Rural Development Plan which is set to run from 2007 and a formal consultation will be undertaken in the coming months. The Minister recognises that the current age structure in farming is too high and I therefore hope that some positive measures will be forthcoming to secure the next generation of North-east farmers.”

Note: The Department for Agriculture & Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARD) launched the new entrants scheme for young farmers on 6 June 2005.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister Jeff Rooker said: "The aim of the New Entrants Scheme is to support young, progressive farmers who are prepared to invest in innovative measures which will help make their new businesses genuinely competitive in the more market-focused environment that is emerging in the wake of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform."

The proposed scheme has a number of conditions attached which require applicants to achieve a minimum level of competence in farming, environmental and animal welfare practices.

The Minister continued: "Having the necessary skills base will be a vital factor for any farm business wishing to remain viable in the competitive markets that exist today and in the future. They are also part and parcel of what is now regarded as responsible farming practice. I am confident that these conditions will not be a barrier to applications from progressive, young farmers wishing to build a long term career in the Northern Ireland agricultural industry."