The Future Farming Investment Scheme Has Failed To Support Crofters, Tenants and Island Farmers
The Future Farming and Investment Scheme have failed the priority groups it intended to help with the scheme “exclude small producers as well as islands, crofters and tenants.”
Sybil MacPherson (Image credit The Scottish Farmer) discussing the impacts of the Future Farming Investment Scheme videos from tenant Edinbeg farm on the Isle of Bute ​
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The Future Farming Investment Scheme by the Scottish Government has been criticised by farmers and crofter for their unfair selection process. The scheme received over 7,500 applications and promised to provide funding to support priority groups including small agricultural businesses, crofters and island farmers.
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In a statement from Agricultural Minister Jim Fairlie he said “This scheme has delivered targeted investment of over £21 million to farmers and crofter allowing them to invest in action to reduce emissions, improve productivity and restore nature.”
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However island farmers only received 3% of the £21 million scheme fund highlighting this mismatch between policy and the outcomes for farmers. Similar concerns have been raised for small agricultural businesses as only 19% of those who applied have been offered a grant and only 22% of island businesses have been offered a grant.
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Argyll and Islands Regional Chair Sybil MacPherson discussed the impact the grant failure have had on island farmers. We are “Very frustrated that island farming and crofts were one of the priority groups and it appears as if very few of them actually are in receipt of the support which has upset, confused and annoyed them.”
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Politicians and farmers have criticised the unfair distribution of money as many farmers have been left disappointed after submitting applications. Some farmers even sought and paid for professional help and have been unsuccessful.
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Jim Fairlie (Image credit Scottish Government) discussing the Future Farming Investment Scheme.​
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Similar applications have also shown inconsistencies in results as some have received the grant while others have been unsuccessful after making similar requests. There is a lack of evidence on how successful candidates have been selected.
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Sybil added some farmers who applied for the grant “are ineligible for some reason or another. That’s confused me to how that could be possible given that it was quite a simple form but if that is the case I think that before they put out another application form they have to make it much clearer of the points that would exclude you for whatever reason because the lack of information as to why these people were excluded is very frustrating for a lot of people.”
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The scheme is currently under review farmers and crofters require answers as to how successful applicants have been selected and why they were selected. There have also been calls from politicians for farmers to receive feedback as to why they have not been selected for the grant scheme.
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Sybil MacPherson added future schemes should “be targeted towards new entrants, expanding businesses, people with severe disadvantages like island communities or very remote areas… tenants and… active farming.”
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In a statement from Agricultural Minister Jim Fairlie he said “This was a new scheme, we will work with the sector to improve and build upon the FFIS approach.”
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The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee are welcoming more information from unsuccessful candidates and request they respond by the 13th of December.
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Fairlie added “The popularity of the scheme has shown there is an appetite across Scotland’s agricultural sector to invest in sustainability, productivity, and resilience and this will make a real difference to so many businesses. We will be publishing information about the assessment process and awards in due course.
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