More farmers accessing support scheme

Monday 05 June 2023

Up to 60 farmers are expected to have signed up to benefit from a Government support scheme by the end of the year.

A revised version of the Rural Support Scheme, which forms part of the Economic Framework for the Rural Environment, came into effect at the beginning of the year.

It offers "credits" for farmers which rewards them for providing a "public good" – such as minimising waste, creating conservation areas and managing hedgerows.

By the end of last year, 40 had signed up to the first iteration of the scheme. It is expected that 60 will have done so by the end of this year.

Pictured: The Minister for Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel.

At a recent Scrutiny hearing, Minister for Economic Development Deputy Kirsten Morel said there had been interest in the scheme from small-holders as well as large commercial farms.

Small-holders were included for the first time in the revised version of the scheme which went live at the start of this year.

He said the Rural Economy Strategy - which underpins the scheme - is "doing a fantastic job", adding: "It's a piece of policy I am incredibly proud of."

Pictured: The revised scheme included smallholders for the first time. 

Deputy Morel also noted that a similar £300,000 scheme designed to support the marine economy is due to be launched later this month.

The Marine Support Scheme, he said, is was structured in a very similar way to the Rural Support Scheme, with fisherman being offered credits provided they meet certain criteria like "improved environmental performance and safety standards".