CROFTERS have been ‘cheated’, the Scottish Crofting Federation claims, by the Scottish Government’s decision not to introduce the planned Areas of Natural Constraint support scheme.
The government has, instead, opted to reduce support payments to fragile areas.
‘The government has reneged on its promise,’ said federation chairman Russell Smith, ‘which was made in the lead up to this phase of the Common Agriculture Policy. For years government and stakeholders have been working on the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) support scheme, which was to replace the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS).