Perthshire farmers and crofters will benefit from the first instalment of convergence funding – addressing an “historic injustice” which the SNP government has long campaigned for.
The funding is the first tranche of an £160 million package the UK government has finally returned to Scottish farmers after pocketing EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding intended for Scotland since 2014.
The initial £80 million will be distributed to support active farming, with a focus on those who farm in marginal uplands, hill farms and island areas.
Commenting, Mr Swinney said:
“This is money that was hard fought for over many years, and I am delighted for farmers in Perthshire that the £160 million of convergence money that the UK government tried to appropriate from Scotland has been returned.
“Scottish farmers have been short-changed by the UK government for years, and the SNP has argued long and hard for that injustice to be addressed.
“This funding will play a vital role in helping us meet our agricultural commitments, and will make a crucial difference to the future viability of Scotland’s farming industry.
“Whilst Brexit remains a massive threat to Scotland’s farming and crofting communities, this funding will help to provide some security to Perthshire farmers during these uncertain times.
“With future arrangements for agriculture still unclear amidst the turmoil of Brexit, it is absolutely vital that Perthshire agriculture benefits from the EU support to which the sector is entitled, while it still can.
“We now need real commitments over future funding, and an end to the attempted power grab over farming powers that should rightfully be at the Scottish Parliament.”
