Ross Finnie tells Scotland's farmers that 3296m 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 3296 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