Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has challenged Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP on when the Scottish Government will process grant applications for new farm entrants.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said:
“The Scottish Government has made the involvement of new entrants, and those currently farming without subsidy, a high priority within these reforms. I challenged the Cabinet Secretary to tell Parliament what stage the processing of new entrant grant applications has reached.
“The Cabinet Secretary was unable to provide an update regarding the processing of new entrant grant applications. I have now written to ask his to provide an answer at the earliest opportunity and for this important information for to be provided as soon as possible.
“In recent months, politicians from all parties have been calling for clarity from the SNP Scottish Government – SNP Ministers need to answer these key questions regarding the future processing of grant applications for new farm entrants and not leave rural Scotland on hold.”