This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Suckler Cow Premium Scheme opens
25/06/2003
Applications for the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme will open on 1 July.
The scheme supports specialist beef producers by paying premiums on suckler cows and heifers (over eight months old) which form part of a regular breeding herd used for rearing calves for beef.
This is a routine announcement which is not related to ongoing discussions on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Claim forms and guidance notes will be automatically sent to farmers who applied under last year's scheme. Forms are also available on-line and from Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) area offices.
The closing date for applications is 6 December. Claims received after this date will be penalised. Any claim submitted after 31 December, except for cases of force majeure/ exceptional circumstances, will be deemed invalid. Farmers are advised to submit claims well before the closing date.
An additional payment from the Beef National Envelope will be made to all producers in receipt of Suckler Cow Premiums.
SEERAD will issue advance payments, (60 per cent of the full rate of premium) before 31 December 2003. Balance of payment (40 per cent) will be paid by 30 June 2004.
Farmers should ensure they hold sufficient suckler cow quota (of the correct ring-fence designation) prior to submitting their claim.
The suckler Cow Premium Scheme opens for applications on 1 July and will close on 6 December.
The rate of the Suckler Cow Premium for 2003 is 128.42 pounds per head, reduced to 122.93 pounds by modulation for 2003. An additional payment from the Beef National Envelope will be available to all producers who qualify for the premium, the rates will be announced later in the year and will be modulated. Modulation is a deduction from payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to fund the Scottish Rural Development Plan which will benefit farmers, the rural economy and the environment. For 2003, SCPS payments will be modulated by 3.5 per cent.
Farmers can only be paid the suckler cow premium if they hold a quota of the correct ring-fence designation. A farmer's ring-fence is determined by the location of the majority of the land which comprises their holding (information provided in the ICAS 2003 return). Five different ring-fences operate within Great Britain:
- Scottish HIE LFA
- Scottish LFA
- Welsh LFA
- English LFA
- GB NON-LFA