Turriff residents call for fair access to rural support

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2008

Scores of Turriff residents have expressed concern that the new rural support system excludes those who would prefer to apply in writing rather than online.

Within a matter of hours at last week's Turriff May Day event, 66 people signed a Liberal Democrat petition calling on the Government to respect people's right to choose how to apply.

Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes commented: "A system which is supposed to support people who are in need should not be exclusive from the outset. It's absolutely right that people who aren't comfortable applying online have an alternative."

The system comprises a range of grants for which farmers and communities can apply. However, the SNP's flagship rural priorities programme clearly favours the most computer literate.

Mrs McInnes added: "If this programme aims to level the playing field for rural Scotland then it is contradictory to make it easier for some to access than others. I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs urging him to listen to the concerns of Turriff residents.

"Making support harder to access for those who are less able or inclined to use computers is indefensible if not illegal and Liberal Democrats will oppose such prejudiced policies."