The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) and other payment schemes such as the Less Favourable Areas Support Scheme provide a funding mechanism for supporting rural projects and initiatives that concurred with the objectives of the EU Common Agriculture Policy. Following Brexit, the SRDP has continued under domestic law.
The SRDP and other rural support schemes were due to end on 31 December 2024. On 4 September 2024, however, the Scottish Government laid draft regulations that sought to extend the operation of the SRDP and other support schemes from 1 January 2025 to 2030. The regulations also made further provisions relating to reporting requirements to prepare an Annual Implementation Report for the SRDP.
The Scottish Government stated the extension to the SRDP and other rural support schemes would ensure stability for the agriculture sector whilst the Scottish Government rolls out its new approach to agriculture policy through powers established in the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024
The Committee ran a call for views closed on Wednesday 2 October.
The draft regulations were discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Letter from the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, 27 September 2024