MSP wants answers for farm scheme refusals

A FULL explanation is being demanded for unsuccessful Future Farm Investments Scheme applicants so they know why they were deemed ineligible. That’s the call from Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson. But he fears Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie will not provide the answers because it will take a “massive effort”. The MSP revealed his inbox had been full of emails over the weekend, many from agents who have had less than a good experience. Speaking in Holyrood, Mr Carson said: “They have submitted multiple applications on behalf of priority applicants such as young farmers, new entrants and environmentally focused business, but with minimal success. “We’ve had farmers that have gone for exactly the same equipment, one has hit the priorities and got nothing, but others who have had zero priorities have got the funding. “The Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP described the situation as “concerning”. He added: “From what the minister says, it appears that no farmers have actually been told whether they’ve been ineligible, rather that they were unsuccessful due to the scheme being oversubscribed. “So can the minister inform the chamber how many farmers were ruled out as a result of scoring methodology that was used, and why applicants were not given the opportunity to justify their choices? “And will the minister committed to publishing the scoring framework and outcomes on each individual application to ensure transparency and also commit to urgently engaging with agents to help inform improvements to future schemes?”