NFU Scotland has welcomed an indication by Commissioner Hogan that he is considering greater flexibility in relation to the timescale for Single Application Form (SAF) deadline, as members express their frustration at using the new system.

The Union claims that if delivered, this extension could offer a lifeline to farmers and their advisers who are struggling to cope with this new application process.

NFUS urges the Scottish and UK governments to secure an extension to the deadline for completing SAF applications as Commissioner Hogan's decision will be made in the next couple of weeks.

Currently applications must be completed and received by May 15th, but according to the Union are taking much longer to do this year.

NFUS president Allan Bowie commented: "The introduction of the new direct support system in Scotland is proving to be very difficult and what's being delivered is not what the industry was promised. Lack of detail on some greening measures, the rolling back of transition to cushion the change to the new system and concern over the effectiveness of the activity measures in ensuring that land which is not farmed is excluded has left our members frustrated and angry.

"For those who have used the system they feel it difficult and hugely frustrating, particularly with such a large sum of money invested into it and you would expect it to be easy to use and user friendly.

"The majority of SAF applications will be completed by farm advisors. These advisors are finding the system is not as easy to use as has been the case in the past and for farmers themselves, some of the functionality you would expect of such a system simply isn't there. With the SAF application window coinciding with the application window for key elements of the rural development scheme, farm advisors are toiling and something will have to give."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman responded: "The message we have been given throughout is that putting the right support mechanism in place should be given priority, even if it means further complicating an already complex policy. That is what we have done."

She went on: "It should be noted that as of Tuesday, just over 150 farmers and crofters - out of an expected 22,000 - had begun filling in their SAF online, and we have had positive feedback on the new system. This means over 99 per cent of farmers have yet to try and use the system - and it is therefore premature to draw conclusions about what the farming public thinks.

"Furthermore, fewer than half of SAFs were submitted via agents last year, and the new Rural Payments and Service system will make it easier for claimants to submit their own applications."