FARMERS and crofters will soon begin receiving the second instalment of their direct farm funding, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has confirmed.
“I am absolutely determined to make full direct payments to as many Scottish farmers as possible by June 30. This is my utmost priority," said Mr Ewing.
“All eligible farmers should have already received a substantial payment from the Scottish Government worth 80% of their estimated entitlement, unless they chose to opt out of the nationally funded loan scheme.
“This Common Agricultural Policy reform has completely changed the way funding is allocated so that it is now based on area of land," he continued. "It means we need to verify and check what is being claimed for each and every square metre of farmland in Scotland before settling the balance of payments – a gargantuan administrative challenge involving an almost infinite combination of possibilities and literally millions and millions of complex calculations.
“Thanks to the relentless efforts of staff in area offices and our Edinburgh HQ, this process is nearing the very final stages of completion which will enable us to begin paying second instalments in the near future, injecting at least another £50 million into Scotland’s rural economy.”
NFU Scotland president Allan Bowie responded: “The announcement that farmers and crofters are to start receiving their outstanding balance payments for 2015 means that, with the Highland Show starting next week, the sizeable hole in the Scottish rural economy is slowly being filled.
“The IT debacle, which led to costly and protracted delays in the delivery of CAP support to the agricultural and crofting sectors, has had a huge impact. Instead of arriving as usual in December, we are now in mid-June and businesses are only starting to receive their final payment instalments.
“These payments will be welcomed by all and will be a great relief to many. It means we are getting closer to the end, but NFUS will keep the pressure on the Scottish Government and their officials until all of Scotland’s farmers and crofters are paid what they are due," said Mr Bowie.
"While most can now expect their final payment, we know that some more complex cases have still not received a penny. Any of our members in this situation should contact us so that we can take their case direct to the Scottish Government.
“The Cabinet Secretary Mr Ewing is committed to fixing the deeply flawed system and, once the job is done and final payments have been made, there needs to be a wholesale review of the programme’s failings," he added. "Lessons need to be learned, changes need to be made and people need to be held to account.
“With applications to the 2016 support scheme closing today (June 15), we simply can’t have the same problems happening again with the next round of payments. Scottish Government must make a new contract with farmers and crofters on future support payment delivery.”
For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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