Single Payment Scotland

The Scottish Rural Affairs Minister Richard Lochhead, has stated that he supports the capping of Single Payments in Scotland.  Although a personal opinion, this could show the way policy is heading.  The issue of whether to introduce a limit on payments is a decision that is devolved to the four administrations of the UK.  It is possible that different countries could chose different options – we would be surprised if DEFRA decides to implement capping.  How cross-border farms would be treated is unknown.  Speaking at a CAP conference this month the Minister also stated that a consultation on the implementation of reform in Scotland would be launched later in the year.