Scotland's new rural development programme has been formally approved by Europe.

The programme will provide £1.3bn of support for Scottish farming, food production, rural communities and the environment between now and the end of the decade.

The Scottish Rural development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020 is co-funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union and, as such, requires formal sign-off by the European Commission.

Confirming that agreement has now been given, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: "This will enable the Scottish government to begin approving applications and making payments on those schemes we have already opened to mitigate, as far as possible, the impact of delays in the European sign-off process'"

NFU Scotland director of policy, Jonnie Hall welcomed the announcement saying: "The £1.3bn programme is hugely important to Scottish farmers and crofters, and will be needed to complement the direct support schemes in Pillar 1, where funds under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) are under pressure.

"The decision taken by the Scottish government to transfer 9.5 per cent of Pillar 1 funds into the rural development pot means that access to Pillar 2 schemes was a priority for our members.

"Continuation of the existing LFASS (Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme) scheme over the next few years will be crucial to livestock producers in our vulnerable areas and many will be looking at what the agri-environment package may have to offer.

"Unfortunately, the difficulties experienced in applying online for BPS and the extended application period to June 15 creates an overlap with the window for agri-environment applications. It is in everyone's interests that we get funding for agri-environment work into circulation, so we are still pressing the Scottish Government to consider flexibility in the application window."

Consultation on Wages Board

Views are being sought on the future of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) that currently has the power to set minimum pay rates, holiday entitlements and certain other conditions of service for agricultural workers in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is asking whether SAWB should continue as it does now, be retained as an advisory body, or be removed so that arrangements for agricultural workers are determined under general employment law.