Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the important news that payments under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) will be made by the end of March.

The Scottish Government will provide cash support within weeks to almost 11,500 farming businesses in Scotland’s most remote and rural areas whilst basic payments are being processed.

Mr Thompson said, “This important and valuable announcement by the Scottish Government that cash will come to the vast majority of Less Favoured Area claimants by the end of March will ease the concerns of the crofting and hill farming community.

“To avoid delays the Scottish Government is raising funds to ensure the vast majority of claimants will receive their cash as they normally do in March.

“The Scottish Government’s resolve to fix the recent payment problems is reassuring to me and I hope illustrates to the agricultural community that the Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead, places great value in those who farm our remotest rural areas”.