Orkney MSP Jim Wallace has welcomed the changes to the Least Favoured Area Support Scheme.

Announced by Rural Development Minister, Ross Finnie, the changes will com into effect in 2002 and increase payments to beef farmers and rough grazing.

Mr Wallace said: “I have shared the concerns of Orkney farmers that the LFA scheme has not been delivering proper support to all those who need it. The scheme had to be brought in to comply with European requirements for a move away from headage based support schemes to area based schemes, and finding the right formula for the new scheme has not been easy.

“This year’s payments were the first under the new scheme. Although the losers were given considerable help by the transitional safety net, it was clear that, if nothing changed, many Orkney farmers would face significant drops in their support as the safety net was progressively withdrawn.

Mr Wallace said that the changes announced by Mr Finnie should make a real difference, particularly to Orkney’s beef farmers. He said he would want to see a detailed breakdown of the figures before giving a fully considered reaction to the changes, but early indications were that they would be good for Orkney.