Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, is seeking answers from the Scottish Government on how a key farming fund has been distributed.
Applicants to the Future Farming Investment Scheme were notified by email on Friday as to whether or not they would receive the offer of a grant, but there has been anger and frustration from many farmers and crofters over how the scheme is being delivered.
Mr Halcro Johnston, who is an MSP for the Highlands and Islands and a partner in a farm in Orkney that applied to the scheme, wants the farming minister, Jim Fairlie, to answer questions about how decisions were made amid claims that the scheme will not deliver in key published priority areas.
The Scottish Conservative MSP has submitted a request to Holyrood’s Presiding Officer for a Topical Question on the issue which, if accepted, would see the Scottish Government forced to put forward a minister to come before Parliament on Tuesday afternoon to answer questions from Mr Halcro Johnston and other MSPs.
Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “It was always likely that, given the response to the scheme and the limited – albeit, slightly increased - budget, there would be farmers and crofters left disappointed.
“However, I have been contacted by many from across Scotland who have little confidence in how this funding has been allocated or that it will deliver what it promised.
“There is confusion and frustration over the scoring criteria for the scheme and the consideration given to the advised priorities areas. Some applicants have compared the whole process to a “lucky dip”, with decisions just pulled out of a hat.
“It certainly seems that - while island communities, smaller businesses and new entrants were meant to be given priority for the scheme – that is not reflected in the available data on the number of awards to these groups.
“It’s frustrating to think of the time spent by both farmers and suppliers in considering what to apply for, getting the quotes for equipment and then completing the necessary paperwork, all for that effort to have been for nothing for most. And all during a busy time for the sector.
“The high number of applications for this funding represents the real pressure on the sector, both from UK and Scottish Government policies, and it is disappointing that so many will miss out.
“Jim Fairlie must come before Parliament and answer our questions – and the questions of farmers, crofters and suppliers from right across Scotland – over how these decisions were made and why so many who met the right criteria have missed out”.
