Chamber
Plenary, 15 Mar 2007
15 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Scottish Natural Heritage<br />(Single Farm Payment)
Environment and Rural Development
The issue is complex. Jim Wallace has made several representations to me and previous ministers. SNH is clarifying the position in relation to state aid. That must be done properly. It also has to check whether there are any vires issues. Unfortunately, investigating the scope and financial implications of the issue has been a significant task for SNH, which has involved examination of the basis of payment and determination of the number of production units involved for all the management agreements that were active during the single farm payment reference period of 2000 to 2002. As Jim Wallace rightly points out, the majority of those agreements were negotiated individually and many date back to the 1980s. I am very keen that this matter be resolved. As I said, we expect to receive SNH's proposals within six to eight weeks and I am keen that that date will be stuck to.
In the same item of business
3. Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD):
LD
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish Natural Heritage regarding levels of compensation paid under management agreements fo...
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Sarah Boyack):
Lab
Ministers have asked Scottish Natural Heritage to bring forward proposals to resolve the difficulty that has arisen. Those are expected in the next six to ei...
Mr Wallace:
LD
The minister will acknowledge that I have been in correspondence with her and her predecessor for some time about this matter. Indeed, we are dealing with fa...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
The issue is complex. Jim Wallace has made several representations to me and previous ministers. SNH is clarifying the position in relation to state aid. Tha...