Agriculture and Climate Change (Commonwealth Union) _ NFU Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to promptly disclose details regarding its proposed overhaul of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS), which provides vital assistance to beef suckler herds. Despite expectations to receive further information at NFU Scotland’s recent AGM and Conference, attendees were left without additional insights. However, during his address, First Minister Humza Yousaf emphasized his ambition for agricultural production growth in Scotland, underscoring the SSBSS’s importance for beef production.
The proposed reforms, unveiled at the Royal Highland Show in June 2023, aim to introduce scheme conditionality, wherein any calf born after 2 December 2024 would be subject to new calving interval criteria. With the annual Spring bull sales underway and many beef producers preparing to introduce bulls into their herds, calves conceived from this spring onwards would need to meet new eligibility standards to qualify for payment under the proposed changes.
NFU Scotland stresses the indispensable value of the SSBSS to Scotland’s renowned red meat sector, as it incentivizes producers across the country to continue producing beef calves, thereby supporting the production of quality Scotch Beef. Following successful advocacy efforts by NFU Scotland, the Scottish Government has confirmed that the scheme will remain a key component of future support arrangements in Scotland, with the scheme budget maintained and an island uplift included.
The scheme budget, amounting to £40 million, is divided into £34 million for mainland calves and £6 million for island-born calves, with payment rates determined by the number of eligible calves claimed. Last year, payment rates stood at £101.42 for mainland calves and £144.47 for island-born calves.
NFU Scotland’s Livestock Chair, Hugh Fraser, underscores the scheme’s critical role in sustaining Scotland’s beef suckler herd, which forms the cornerstone of the red meat sector. He stresses the need for clarity on the impending reform in the coming weeks to provide stability for the suckler herd. While acknowledging the Scottish Government’s commitment to retain the existing budget and continue the scheme beyond 2025, Fraser emphasizes the importance of receiving detailed information swiftly.
Fraser emphasizes the necessity of proportionate and pragmatic conditionality and urges the Scottish Government to communicate decisions promptly to enable farmers and crofters to make necessary management adjustments. Overall, NFU Scotland emphasizes the urgency of clarity to safeguard the future of voluntary coupled support schemes like the SSBSS, advocating for timely decision-making to support the agricultural community.
