FARMERS are generally agreed that the SNP Government has shown a keen interest in agriculture since it came to power in May 2007 and has talked a good talk.
However, there are increasing signs that words are not always being translated into action. Currently, the industry is hugely concerned over the "rural priorities scheme", which aimed to deliver upwards of £800 million to farmers and small businesse
s between now and 2013.
The process of making an application is proving complicated and farmers have only a few weeks left to gain approval for the rolling over of existing environmental schemes or wait until 2010 before any financial assistance will be forthcoming.
The understanding is that at least 1,700 applications have been made – in many cases several bids from the same farming business – but that the process has become bogged down in a bureaucratic morass.
Jim McLaren, president of NFU Scotland, said: "We have done much to promote the new rural development plan, including meeting more than 200 of our members to talk through what is available under 'rural priorities'. We want to make the scheme work and have offered to assist the Scottish Government find ways to overcome these problems.
"But members' frustration with the current arrangements for applying for the scheme continues. We have written to Cabinet secretary Richard Lochhead to reiterate concerns already raised with him and to point out emerging problems."
Lochhead has acknowledged that one of the main problems was the government's assumption that every farmer or crofter was up to speed with modern technology.
He said: "I know that there have been teething problems with some people finding it difficult to apply online because, for example, they do not have access to a computer or a fast broadband connection. I am concerned to learn of specific issues and am determined that we do all can to address them.
"However, given the high level of interest in 'rural priorities' there is likely to be keen competition for funding and applicants need to submit high- quality proposals that will deliver significant benefits to the people of Scotland.
"We look forward to working with NFUS to ensure that we deliver and when I meet Jim McLaren later this week I will be happy to again discuss this issue with him."
Karen Gillon, Scottish Labour's rural development spokeswoman, is not amused by what she regards as platitudes from Lochhead. She said: "This scheme is clearly in a complete mess. The minister needs to get hold of this issue, find out what has gone wrong and fix it.
"The SNP is always happy to talk up its commitment to agriculture, but it is failing Scottish farmers with this scheme and the various environmental benefits it should be providing."
In theory, about £1.6 billion of funding for the rural environment should be available between now and 2016.
McLaren said: "If the continued partnership of investment in the agricultural landscapes of Scotland is to reap the biodiversity and environmental benefits such measures are designed to achieve, then a more pragmatic way to deal with agri-environmental proposals must be found."
The full article contains 527 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
