The application window for the new Scottish government-funded grant scheme for low-emission slurry applicators, flow rate monitors and other equipment that reduces the impact of agricultural activities on water and air is set to open on Tuesday 26 April.
The £5m Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS) was announced in February, but the government has now unveiled when and how farmers, crofters and agricultural contractors can apply, and the list of equipment eligible for the 40% grant.
Applications can be made from 26 April to 1 June 2022 to cover equipment that has what the government describes as a “recognised evidence base’’ for protecting the water environment and reducing agriculture’s impact on air quality and climate change.
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The list of eligible items includes floating covers for lagoon stores, covers for slurry stores and also dribble bar, shallow injection and trailing shoe slurry applicators with macerators.
Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon says the government wants to help farmers, crofters and agricultural contractors change their practices to farm more sustainably.
Key to this is giving them access to the right equipment, she says.
Successful applicants will have until the end of February 2023 to purchase items and claim their grant.
But NFU Scotland (NFUS) is critical of the level of funding available.
Vice-president Andrew Connon says the £5m “falls way short’’ of what is needed.
“In writing to the Scottish government last month, NFUS said that for SACGS to be effective in reducing emissions and enhancing the environment, it required a significant boost in terms of overall available funding, eligible expenditure, funding per business and grant rates,’’ says Mr Connon.
Details of the scheme and how to apply can be found on the Scottish government’s website.
