Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the First Minister to help genuine farmers and crofters and end the agricultural subsidies to ‘slipper’ farmers. During an exchange at First Minister’s Question Time today (8 March), Murdo Fraser asked the First Minister what action is being taken to prevent those not actively farming from being able to claim agricultural subsidies. In response, the First Minister stated: “It is totally unacceptable that speculators are using a loophole in the legislation to claim single farm payments while doing nothing in return. We are ensuring that that loophole is closed in the Common Agricultural Policy reform negotiations that are under way, through the so-called Scottish clause.The position is not as simple as using the existing legislation to define an active farmer. “Independent analysis identified that if we tried to use the current legislation, we would end up not just closing the loophole but depriving a range of very active farmers—particularly crofters—of key parts of their livelihood.” In the Chamber, Murdo Fraser responded: “According to the BBC documentary “The Money Farmers”, which was broadcast earlier this week, millions are being spent every year on subsidies to individuals who do not farm in Scotland. On that programme, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development said that the Scottish Government had the power to close the loophole two years ago but did not do so. “Will the Scottish Government now act with urgency and work, if necessary with the United Kingdom Government and the European Commission, to change the current unacceptable position without further delay?” After the exchange, Murdo Fraser said: “It is unacceptable 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. “It is disappointing that the Scottish Government is taking so long to end this loophole, which means that for the next two years farmers who do not get the subsidy will continue to miss out while inactive ‘slipper’ farmers will continue to benefit and get richer.”