SCOTLAND'S FARMERS can be assured that delivery of the new Common Agricultural Policy is an 'absolute priority' for the Scottish Government.
That was the promise from rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead this week, following publication of the December 2014 agricultural survey and the opening of the Single Application Form window.
Said Mr Lochhead: "Delivering the new CAP is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government - and, like other administrations, we are dealing with significant challenges caused by the radical nature of these latest CAP reforms.
"However, there has been a lot of hard work getting us to this point where the SAF window is now open and farmers and crofters can submit their applications.
"I welcome indications that European farm commissioner Phil Hogan is considering offering greater flexibility in relation to the timescale for SAF applications," he said.
"The need for the vital support that CAP offers Scottish agriculture has been underlined by the latest December agricultural survey results. While I welcome the overall rise in livestock numbers, particularly the increase in pigs and dairy cows, I note that beef cattle and lamb numbers have fallen.
"I urge all livestock producers in fragile areas to ensure they apply for LFASS in this year's SAF, as active farmers who were previously frozen out under the old rules may now qualify for support," said Mr Lochhead. "And in future, livestock producers will also be able to apply for support from our new voluntary coupled support and beef efficiency schemes when they are rolled out."
Turning to the other survey results, he noted: " The total area of winter sown crops is holding steady, although showing some changes in the relative areas of the different crops being grown. This may give us the first indications of the possible impact of the new CAP on the arable sector, which we will monitor closely."
Scotland's chief agricultural officer David Barnes added: "The SAF window has now opened, and this is the first year that farmers and crofters can apply for new CAP funding schemes such as the basic payment and greening.
"Our new rural payments and services website has been designed specifically for the new CAP and SAF and we are encouraging as many people as possible to apply for their SAF online. However, we will still accept paper applications from those who choose to apply that way.
"In order for the Scottish Government to process payments, all claimants - regardless of whether they complete their SAF online or on paper - need to register for the rural payments and services system and make sure we have the correct bank account details.
"We expect to receive around 22,000 SAFs and, as of yesterday, more than half of farmers, crofters and other eligible businesses - just over 11,100 - have successfully signed up. Anyone who has not registered yet should do so as soon as possible, and before the deadline of May 15, 2015," stressed Mr Barnes.
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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