Ross Finnie tells Scotland's farmers that £296m has been paid out
SCOTLAND - Ross Finnie, the rural development minister with the Scottish Executive, has said 19,279 producers - representing 91% of all claims - have now received their first instalment of their single farm payment.Mr Finnie was speaking at NFU Scotland’s annual general meeting in St Andrews.
He added to date almost £296 million has been paid, which amounts to over 75% of the funds available, excluding the national reserve.
Mr Finnie, who has been in charge of rural affairs in Scotland for almost seven years, said during that time built up a good rapport with farmers.
“Over the years we have developed a totally different relationship between the industry and the Executive and it is now very much more positive.
“At first I sensed that every farmer thought his neighbour was a competitor, but now they have come to regard Holland, Denmark, New Zealand and other countries as the real opposition.
“The result is that there is now a much more collaborative approach within the industry,” he said.
In his address to the delegates the minister stressed the importance of farming to the Scottish food industry.
He said: “Agriculture remains a traditional cornerstone of the rural economy employing directly nearly 5% of the rural workforce as well as supporting many others.
Source: FWi
7 March 2006
1 minute read
