4. Rationale and objectives for LFASS 2010-13
4.1 Following its consideration of the 2006 review of LFASS, led by Macaulay 12, the LFASS Stakeholder Group proposes that the rationale for LFASS in Scotland should be based on the following:
- LFAs are the dominant land category in Scotland, where they cover 85% of agricultural land;
- land management in these areas faces significant physical and climatic disadvantages, often exacerbated by difficult access to suppliers and markets;
- over 12,500 farms and crofts currently depend, wholly or partly, on LFASS payments, as well as other elements of support, to maintain their financial viability;
- active management of this land is necessary for the delivery of the key outcomes expected from the SRDP, including in particular the environment and countryside objectives of Axis 2 as well as improved business viability (Axis 1) and thriving rural communities (Axis 3);
- support payments are essential to maintain traditional agricultural landscapes through the continued active management of agricultural land.
4.2 The SRDP states that the objectives of LFASS are as follows:
"The objective of this measure is to compensate land managers in LFAs for the particular disadvantages that they face, and thereby sustain farming and crofting in these areas and the associated economic, social and environmental benefits that are dependent on continued active land management in these areas.
It is only through sustaining farming and crofting activity and by retaining land managers in less favoured areas, that there can be effective uptake of agri-environment measures and delivery of environmental benefits associated with active management of land for agricultural production. LFASS has a key role in this respect by maintaining the basic underpinning agricultural and crofting capability that can promote environmental enhancement, including through agri-environmental schemes under the SRDP."
Q3 What are your views on this rationale and these objectives for LFASS?