AS SPRING quickly approaches, this is a busy time for farmers and crofters with calving and lambing in full swing. In addition, it is also time for the annual IACS form to be completed and submitted. These forms are the cornerstone for claiming all farm support payments, without which virtually no business in the more fragile West Coast areas would be profitable. Support includes the area based Basic Payment Scheme, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, the more targeted support such as Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, Scottish Sheep Upland Support Scheme and the habitat management schemes such as Rural Priorities and Agri-environment and Climate Scheme.
Although the UK is leaving the EU, farm support payments will still continue up to and including 2020. So the annual IACS form remains of vital importance for keeping farmers and crofters in business for the next few years.The contribution farming and crofting businesses make to the rural community should not be underestimated, with recent figures showing that every £1 of farm support received generates £6 to the rural economy.
These schemes also ensure that farmers and crofters follow a framework for delivering good benefits for the public – for example, enhancing biodiversity, protecting the environment, animal welfare and ensuing traceability of livestock.