New information reveals the importance to the East Lothian economy of vital CAP payments.
The figures, released by Scottish Conservative candidate, Rachael Hamilton, show that in 2014 more than 250 businesses in East Lothian received over £12 million in payments. This money was due in December 2015, but so far only a minority of farmers have received even a partial payment.
Rachael Hamilton has said the figures show the true extent of which the delay over payments is harming farming in East Lothian and the wider East Lothian economy.
East Lothian candidate, Rachael Hamilton said “These figures really bring home how crucial CAP payments are to the East Lothian economy. The total amount of CAP money which normally comes to the county is over £12 million. However, because of the Scottish Government’s mishandling of the situation, only a fraction of this money has so far trickled in. This fiasco is creating a negative domino effect to businesses far wider than agriculture in East Lothian. Farmers are just not able to spend and reinvest whilst their cash flows are being hit.
“Many farmers still haven’t received a single penny, and most have no idea when this money will be forthcoming. All this comes after the Scottish Government spent £180 million on a new IT system, which still does not work properly.
“The SNP Government have totally mishandled this whole episode in the first year in which they have taken over responsibility for managing payments.
“Any other sector would be on its knees if £12 million was withheld from them. The fact that farmers and local businesses are still coping is a real credit to the strength of the agriculture sector in the Borders. However, unless the Cabinet Secretary gets his act together I fear there will be lasting damage.”