Scotland’s farmers should demand a ‘managed transition’ from the Scottish Government when new CAP rules come into force next year.
The call came from NFU Scotland, which said that it is adamant, with decisions on support scheme implementation now imminent, that for established businesses a transition period for the move from historic to area-based payments will offer the only chance to adjust.
The union said, comparatively, an overnight shift straight to area payments will only pose the risk of undermining Scotland’s production base.
As a result, NFUS has called for its members to support this position by signing an online petition at www.surveymonkey.com/s/NFUSCAPtransition.
While a managed transition would be welcomed by established businesses, NFUS has repeated its assertion that for those unfairly locked out of the previous regime, for example new entrants, the national reserve must deliver full area payments from year one.
“NFU Scotland considers that a transition period to the new support regime is critical,” said union chief executive Scott Walker.
“We are calling on all Scottish farmers currently receiving direct support to sign the petition, support a managed transition and say no to a single step change in farm payments.”
Mr Walker said the union is well aware the move from historic support to area-based support will see many existing farm businesses suffer big reductions in support.
“All sectors will be affected but the beef, dairy and general cropping sectors are most at risk, yet it is these sectors that are the foundation of Scotland’s food and drink sector,” he said.
“Even if established farm businesses survive, an overnight change in support would impact heavily on the wider rural economy, jobs and processing.”
He said a managed transition period is “the best way” to protect production, the economy and employment.
“We are calling on Scottish farmers to sign this petition and send a clear message to the Scottish Government that farmers need a period of transition and that the new support system must be brought in over a period of time,” he said.
“While a managed transition is best for established businesses, we have always maintained that for those unfairly locked out of the previous regime, the national reserve must deliver full area payments from year one.”