You can share this news release with others on social networking sites , or post it to your online profile, or send it to a friend, by clicking on the "Share This" link immediately below.
Download this news release at :
http://www.rhodagrant.org.uk/hinews12112008.pdf
12 November 2008
Boyack calls for Lochhead to sort out Failing Rural Development Programme Now
Responding to the news that the Scottish Government will conduct a review of the Scottish Rural Development Programme Shadow Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said:
"This is a humiliating climb-down by SNP Minister, Richard Lochhead.
"Scottish Labour has been campaigning for Ministerial action to sort out the problems of the SRDP for months now, so we welcome the fact he has finally accepted what we and countless farmers and crofters have been telling him.
"His review needs to address the process of the SRDP, in particular the complexity of the application process and the lack of transparency on how Scottish Government priorities are reflected in decisions."
Acting Rural Affairs Spokesperson Rhoda Grant said:
"I welcome the news that Richard Lochhead has heeded Scottish Labour's calls for the rural development programme to be reviewed.
"This is something we have been calling for since we became aware of the difficulties farmers are facing in getting support.
"Pushing farmers through over complicated new systems is proving disastrous.
"The Minister admits there have been teething problems and bureaucratic issues and that the review will be more wide-ranging than previously envisaged.
"The programme has been difficult to access, and in these harsh economic times, farmers need to be able to access the support that is in place for them.
"It is simply not good enough - farmers livelihoods are at stake."
"This programme needs sorted out ASAP.
"The Minister needs to get his act together."