Changes to SRDP: Support, Welfare and Quality

UK - Farm businesses in Scotland will be able to access support to improve the welfare of livestock and assist in the production of quality meat and cereals, it has been announced today.

15 April 2009

3 minute read

Europe

The Scottish Government has confirmed that animal welfare measures and three quality assurance schemes have been added to the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

European approval was secured with considerable effort following lengthy negotiations and the programmes will form part of Land Managers Options (LMOs) and will be available this year.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead said: "I am delighted that the Commission has approved this change to SRDP, which, in the current economic climate, will help farmers ensure that their livestock is kept in the best of health.

"The new Animal Welfare Measure has few equivalent schemes across Europe and we feel that its welfare-focused approach and specific actions on improving biosecurity will be of enormous benefits to those who keep livestock.

"Furthermore, industry concerns such as Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and sheep scab can now be addressed under SRDP.

"The additional quality assurance measures will further build on Scotland's reputation as a producer of some of the world's finest meat produce, with the Scottish Quality Farm Assured Combinable Crops Scheme now giving similar support to crop producers.

"We have been working closely with stakeholders for a number of months on building a case to ensure our farmers do not miss out on these valuable schemes and I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement with the Commission."

Farmers can claim up to a maximum total allowance for Land Management Contracts Menu Scheme (LMCMS) and LMO (including LMO Animal Welfare), dependent on the size of their holding.

The limit or total allowance for LMOs per applicant per year is based on the amount of land they have - £75 for first 10 hectares, £30 for next hectares up to 100, £1 per hectare over 100 to 1000 and £0.1 per hectare over 1000. There is one total allowance for LMCMS and LMO and so if applicants already have LMCMS continuing commitments then only any additional remaining allowance can be used to apply for new LMO activities.

Anyone who still has continuing commitments under LMCMS Animal health and welfare cannot apply for the new LMO animal welfare yet. If they have no ongoing LMCMS commitments (this or next year will be the last for LMCMS) then theoretically they can use all their allowance for LMO animal welfare. The deadline for receipt of LMO and continuing LMCMS commitments application is 15 May - all applicants must submit also a Single Application Form (SAF). Full guidance issued to producers with the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) pack in March and IACS applicants are being sent guidance on these new measures.

Quality Assurance Scheme membership fees can be supported at 50 per cent of actual cost up to a maximum of £150 per scheme per year.