NFU Scotland has responded to the Scottish Executive's consultation on changes to an important crofting grants scheme and stressed that all crofters should have equal access to funding.

NFUS has also reiterated the importance and value of the Executive's support for crofting activity. The proposed changes concern the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) which provides support for a wide variety of agricultural activities in Scotland's crofting counties. 

NFUS believes that grants should be available to all crofters and not confined to those in the Less Favoured Area (LFA).  The Union has also raised questions over the use of the economic status test to assess whether crofters should receive funding. Whilst not covered in the consultation,

NFUS also expressed disappointment at the change in support for improving the quality of croftland.  Previously, support was available for bracken control and general improvement of land through steps such as re-seeding or laying down permanent pasture. This measure has now been limited to the restoration of derelict land.

NFUS has also made other suggestions for the future of the scheme.  In the event that demand exceeds the available CCAGS budget, NFUS believes that Ministers could make an informed decision on which projects deserve support by following the example of the Agricultural Business Development Scheme (ABDS) and establishing a project assessment committee.

NFUS Vice President Bob Howat said: “Grant schemes in the crofting counties are extremely important and the Executive's funding makes a huge difference in these areas.  The priority for NFUS is to ensure equal access for all crofters whether they are in the LFA or not.  The economic test is often skewed by income from non-crofting activity, which may not be invested in the croft itself. “I understand that the change in support for improving croftland has been determined by state aid rules.  However, it is still disappointing that a measure that was very useful to enhancing the quality of land in the crofting counties has now been restricted.

“We agree with the Executive that control measures are needed in the event that demand exceeds the budget.  The system used for ABDS and its lowland equivalent, FBDS, which incorporates a committee of stakeholders to determine spending priorities, has worked very well and would be a sensible model to follow for crofting grant schemes."