Farmers Must Complete LFA Form To Receive 2010 Payment
UK - All Less Favoured Area (LFA) livestock producers must complete the recently received form from Scottish Government or run the risk of losing out on payments under the 2010 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS).
23 September 2009
2 minute read
With more than 80 per cent of Scotland designated as LFA, home to around 13,000 farms, the vast majority of Scotland’s livestock farmers must complete this form if they are to receive lifeline LFASS payments from the 2010 scheme.
The form requests information from LFA farmers on the number of livestock being kept. Data on livestock numbers is being compiled to help the Scottish Government and key stakeholders such as National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland, to work on the technical details of future LFASS so that it reflects recent stock levels.
The form does not guarantee future eligibility, but without it being completed, applications for LFASS in 2010 will not be processed. With this in mind, the livestock forms should be completed and returned by 2 October 2009. Farmers should direct any enquiries about the animal declaration form to their SGRPID local office.
NFU Scotland Vice-President Nigel Miller said:
“A new LFA scheme must be put in place for 2010 onwards, and we are determined to ensure that future payments fully reflect the huge contribution that active livestock producers make to remoter parts of rural Scotland. For that to happen, it is important that payments reward current agricultural management.
“The LFASS payment calculation remains complex, but it must be a reflection of current stocking densities, livestock ratios and agricultural capability. Having established these principles with the Scottish Government, we want to ensure that all those in the LFA that merit support are rewarded for their continued commitment to livestock farming.
“To achieve this, it is critical that all producers in Scotland's LFA supply this essential information on livestock numbers on the forms recently provided by the Scottish Government - and NFU Scotland urges all to do so. While the form does not guarantee future eligibility, it must be completed and returned by 2 October by all those intending to claim LFASS in 2010. Without it being completed, your claim for these lifeline payments next year will not be processed.
“If livestock farmers have any queries about the form and its completion, then I would urge them to contact their local Scottish Government office as soon as possible.”
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