Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced the Scottish Government will pay some, or all of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) to almost 11,500 farming businesses by the end of March, while Basic Payments continue to be processed through the new, £178m flawed IT delivery system.
The move will be welcomed by many who were concerned that serious delays in making the Basic Payments would have held up their LFASS payments until later this summer.
The £65.5m LFASS is co-financed by the EU and the Scottish Government, but to avoid delays, the Scottish Government is using national funds. Under the Scottish Government's National LFASS Scheme, around 8,000 farmers will receive a payment worth 90 per cent of last year's claim, while another 1,400 crofters and small farmers who are eligible for the minimum LFASS payment of £385 will receive that in full.
Most farmers and crofters who have submitted a LFASS application will be sent a letter explaining what is planned and what it means for them.
Mr Lochhead said: "LFASS payments have always started in March and, to avoid delays, the Scottish Government is taking action using national funds to ensure the vast majority of claimants will receive payments in March as usual.
"Our nationally-funded scheme for LFASS claimants will see almost 11,500 farm businesses in Scotland's most remote and fragile areas automatically get a payment, injecting almost £55m more into Scotland's rural economy over the coming weeks."
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 293 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1230 per head and 253.6p per kg to average £850.34 and 208.4p (+1.3p on the fortnight), while 340 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1225 and 258.6p to level at £882.43 and 215.5p (-3.6p). Sixty-five store, B&W bullocks sold to £890 and 170p to average £756.15 and 135.7p (+1.5p).
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd had 263 store cattle forward in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to £1150 and 246.4p to average £861.90 and 203.6p (+2.6p), while bullocks peaked at £1170 and 263.4p to level at £972.10 and 215.6p (-0.1p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4483 prime hoggs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £130 per head and 276p per kg to average 193.7p (+11.6p on the week).
There were also 4040 cast sheep when heavy ewes sold to £146 for a Texel and averaged £80.92 (-£1.97), while light ewes peaked at £84 for Blackfaces and levelled at £54.03 (+66p). Rams sold to £136 for a Charollais and averaged £81.
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