Scottish beef producers are calling for urgent clarity from the Scottish government on its proposed reform of the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS).
The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) said its members had hoped to hear further details at its AGM and conference last week, but no further information was provided.
However in his address to the conference, First Minister Humza Yousaf stated his ambition to see agricultural production in Scotland grow, and SSBSS is an essential element for beef, NFUS said.
The proposals announced at the Royal Highland Show in June 2023 stated that Scottish government intends to bring scheme conditionality into place so that any calf born after December 2, 2024 will fall under new calving interval conditionality rules.
With the annual spring bull sales underway and many beef producers about to introduce bulls into their herds, it means calves conceived from this spring onwards will need to meet new eligibility criteria to qualify for payment under new proposals, the union said.
Scottish beef
NFUS said it believes the value of the SSBSS to Scotland’s red meat sector cannot be underestimated, as it ensures producers around the country are encouraged to keep producing beef calves to underpin Scotch Beef.
The Scottish government has confirmed that the scheme will be a feature of future support arrangements in Scotland and that the scheme budget will be retained with the inclusion of an island uplift.
The scheme budget of £40 million is split with £34 million for calves born on the mainland and £6 million for calves born on the islands.
The payment rates are determined by the number of eligible calves claimed. Last year, payment rates were £101.42 for mainland calves and £144.47 for island calves.
NFUS livestock chair Hugh Fraser said: “This scheme continues to be a vital element of support to maintain the beef suckler herd in Scotland.
“The iconic Scotch Beef brand continues to be the cornerstone of our red meat sector and contributes 24 per cent to the total Scottish agricultural output.
“That means the importance of the calf scheme cannot be underestimated. While trade has recently been strong, this does not negate the years of turbulent market returns, and the industry remains fragile.”
Stability for the suckler herd
Fraser said producers need clarity in the next few weeks on what the reform will look like to provide some form of stability for the suckler herd.
“Given that bulls are being put in with cows now, it is unreasonable for Scottish government to introduce conditionality on next year’s calves without giving industry the necessary information and details,” he said.
“We have been clear that any new conditionality must be proportional and pragmatic.
“While Scottish government’s commitment to retain the existing £40 million budget with an island uplift and commitment to continuing this vital scheme beyond 2025 is welcomed, the finer detail is required.”
Fraser said it is recognised that this reform is necessary to protect the future of Voluntary Coupled Support (VCS) schemes such as this.
“We continue to stress the importance of a decision being communicated quickly with the industry so that farmers and crofters have as much time as possible to make the necessary management decisions,” he said.
