The Scottish government has rallied to help farmers hit by nightmare weather conditions by launching a new payment scheme.
The National Basic Payment Support Scheme will provide loans to struggling farmers from early October. A similar scheme was created in 2017,which delivered payments of more than £317 million to over 13,500 farmers.
This year farmers have battled a cold, wet winter followed by an unprecedented dry summer, leaving crops fighting for survival and reduced yields.
Under the new scheme, loans will be offered to eligible farmers for up to 90 per cent of what they are due as part of their Basic Payment Scheme 2018 payments. This will be on an opt-in basis and offset against those payments.
Announcing the scheme, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Farmers are the backbone of Scotland’s rural economy, and we understand that many of them have really suffered this year due to the unprecedented severe weather experienced in 2018.
“The Scottish Government is of course committed to supporting our farmers, and have responded by taking decisive action to make this extra funding stream available.
“We will be issuing loan offers shortly, providing a much-needed cash injection for those feeling the effects of increased prices for feed and fodder, the impact of restraints on irrigating their land, and in some cases resorting to selling livestock earlier than planned to preserve fodder for breeding stocks.
“I have also asked the Agriculture Weather Advisory Panel to consider what other actions may be helpful in response to the recent dry weather. The Panel met last week and will be issuing advice, focused on the continuing need for farmers to plan ahead and collaborate effectively across the industry.”
