Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the Scottish Government to help genuine farmers and end the agricultural subsidies to inactive ‘slipper’ farmers. Murdo Fraser raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament after be lodged a parliamentary question asking the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent those not actively farming from being able to claim agricultural subsidies. In March 2012, Murdo Fraser raised the matter with the First Minister after it was revealed millions of pounds are being spent every year on subsidies to individuals who do not farm in Scotland. The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development stated that the Scottish Government had the power to close the loophole two years ago but did not do so. Murdo Fraser said: “I believe it is totally unacceptable that inactive ‘slipper’ farmers are using a loophole in the legislation to claim single farm payments while doing nothing in return. “It is not right that there are Scottish farmers who genuinely need assistance who are unable to claim the subsidy as it has already been sold off to someone else. It is a gross misuse of taxpayers’ money, which does nothing but undermine farming and make a mockery of the system. “I will continue to raise this matter with the Scottish Government as they are taking too long to end this loophole. I want the Scottish Government to set out what it is doing to prevent inactive ‘slipper’ farmers receiving subsidies as the expense of real Scottish farmers.”