The SNP Government is determined to take a strategic approach to maintaining the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020 budget to ensure it supports key priorities.
If Scotland leaves the EU, Scottish Ministers want to be able to optimise our ability to put into effect proposals to provide stability and simplification between 2021 and 2024 and commence piloting new approaches to providing rural support.
The revised indicative budgets are:
Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP said:
“It’s important to note that these are indicative budgets we will continue to monitor scheme performance and demand, along with the impact of future Spending Reviews, to ensure that the SRDP continues to deliver towards our commitment to build growth all across rural Scotland.
“To date, we have had no clarity nor certainty from the UK Government over future funding to replace SRDP beyond 2020. We are already committed through the Programme for Government to develop a new agricultural transformation programme to encompass the new statutory commitments on whole farm emissions accounting and an agricultural modernisation fund.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“The extension of the current contracts is likely to ensure a further £6 million is invested, adding to the £177.7 million already committed through the agri-environment schemes to support farmers, crofters and land managers to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change.
“The SNP Government will continue to work hard for Scotland’s rural and island communities.”
ENDS
