The Scottish Government will open its rural development programme to applications early next year, despite the fact its scheme has yet to be approved by the European Commission.
Farm minister Richard Lochhead last night pledged to “get the ball rolling” with applications for the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) so that the Government was ready to pay out at the earliest opportunity.
“Scotland’s rural development programme provides crucial support for Scottish farming, food production, rural communities and the environment, and is worth £1.3 billion over the next six years,” said Mr Lochhead.
“However, the European sign-off process is proving disappointingly slow, with only three out of 118 rural development programmes across the whole of Europe agreed so far and the new SRDP now not expected to be formally approved until next summer.”
The three rural development programmes which have received EU approval are in Denmark, Poland and Austria.
Confirming details of the SRDP timetable, the Scottish Government said applications for the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) would continue to be submitted through the Single Application Form in May 2015, with payments being made in spring 2016.
Agri-environment scheme applications will open in March 2015, with contracts issued in autumn.
The Scottish Government said: “To safeguard key habitats and species, some priority multi-annual agri-environment contracts due to expire in 2014 are being renewed.”
Forestry grant applications will also open in March, with contracts and payments set to be issued following approval of the SRDP scheme.
Food and drink funding will be paid as soon as possible, with the fund open for applications from March 1 2015.
In January next year, farm capital investment schemes for crofters, small farmers and new entrants will open, with applicants required to apply before their 41st birthday as the funding is linked to young farmers rules.
Both the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund and Environmental Co-operative Action Fund are likely to open early next year, with contracts issued following SRDP approval.
Government said local action groups wishing to apply for funding through the Leader scheme should start work developing projects with partners. This scheme will open in spring next year.
The Government’s broadband fund, which will also open in spring, will be delivered by Community Broadband Scotland as part of a wider initiative.
Two schemes the beef efficiency scheme and advisory service will launch in 2016.
Lastly, Government said the Scottish Rural Network was an ongoing programme and would continue during the SRDP approval process.