The ongoing failure around Scottish Government's system for delivering support has seen it unable to inform farmers on the success or failure of their applications to the 2015 agri-environment schemes, says NFU Scotland.
According to the Union, despite having many months to process fewer than 700 agri-environment forms, those who applied to 2015 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) have yet to receive notice and the 2016 AECS failed to open on 11 January as planned. At this time, the AECS online application process is unavailable.
The latest problems follow on from significant delays being experienced by Scottish Government in distributing support payments under the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). By the end of December 2015, Scottish Government had issued 18 per cent of BPS claimants with part payment - well short of the 25 per cent target that the Scottish Government had set itself.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Officials are continuing to work flat-out to ensure payments are made as quickly as possible. We are still aiming to pay the majority of farmers and crofters by the end of January, and to do all we can to avoid or minimise any delays to other payment schemes.
"I am committed to giving the industry another update by the end of the month."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 425 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 242.2p per kg and an average of 205.7p (-2.9p on the week), while 523 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 241.9p and levelled at 207.3p (+3.4p). Sixty-three store B&W bullocks sold to 141.6p and averaged 127p (-19.2p).
In the rough ring 151 beef cows averaged 109.1p and 22 dairy cows levelled at 79p.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 22 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 221.5p and an average of 177.3p.
There were 93 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 105.2p and dairy cows levelled at 79.8p.
The firm also sold 637 prime hoggs to a top of £90 per head and 200p per kg to average 173.6p (no change).
The 201 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £90 for Texels and average £63.49 (-49p), while light ewes peaked at £65 for Cheviots and levelled at £49.51 (+£6.43).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1362 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £90 and 213.2p to average 175.3p (+8.3p).
There were also 223 cast sheep forward that saw ewes sell to £88 for Suffolks and £57.50 for Blackfaces.
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