Rural Affairs

As an amendment to motion S4M-15844 in the name of Alex Fergusson (Rural Affairs), insert at end "; notes the impact on the agricultural supply chain of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) delays, with merchants, vets and machinery supplies also among those being financially affected, and that store livestock prices have fallen as a result of the delays causing considerable pressures on primary livestock producing areas, notably in the crofting counties; further notes delays to other agricultural grant schemes, such as the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme and the Scottish Rural Development Programme, and recognises the hard work and dedication of local Rural Payments and Inspections Division officers across Scotland, who have endeavoured to make their part of the BPS system function."