NFU Scotland has called on government to take advantage of rules which would allow increased coupled support in 2014.
The union has written to the Scottish Government urging it to make full use of transition arrangements for 2014 ahead of full implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) regime in 2015.
These arrangements would allow member states to use 6.5% of total budget for coupled support. At present 4.5% is used for the Scottish Beef Scheme (SBS), which is worth about £24.8million to Scotland’s beef sector.
The union said an increase to coupled support could be implemented, without any changes to the mechanics of the scheme – weighting of payments and eligibility.
Increased coupled support in 2014 was essential to stop further decline in the national suckler cow herd, said the union. It would also act as a stepping stone for the new regime in 2015, which could potentially see support rise to 8% of total budget.
“In the beef sector, the evidence from our recent survey is clear,” said president Nigel Miller.
“Many producers consider that current levels of coupled support are insufficient to maintain current levels of production and, unless these change, the decline in our beef herd will continue.”
Farm businesses were still clawing their way back to profitability following a difficult two years, and increased support from the SBS would be a welcome shot in the arm, he said.
“We believe that funding for the desired uplift in SBS can be achieved by cutting some or all of the voluntary modulation levied on all single farm payments in the transition year of 2014,” added Mr Miller.
“This can be justified, as rural development measures that year will operate on a skeleton basis covering the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) and existing agri-environment commitments.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are currently clarifying what options are open to us for coupled support in 2014, and the potential implications for other Cap programmes.”