Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead has once again refused to answer questions on the delay over online CAP applications seriously.
Farmers and their agents have had considerable problems using the SNP’s online single application form system. The problems became so bad that the Scottish Government was forced to extend the deadline for completing the forms by a month to the 15th June.
In the Scottish Parliament the Cabinet Secretary was asked for an update and to clarify whether the new timetable will result in delays to farmers receiving CAP payments. In response he conceded that around 60% of farmers were yet to complete the process and declined to outline what the Government was doing to address the concerns of the farming community.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The online CAP application process has caused farmers in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire serious problems. It is simply not fit for purpose.
“The Scottish Government has been struggling to get a grip on this matter from day one and it is clear that with the vast majority of applications still to be completed, there will be a rush at the last minute.
“I’m concerned that in the final few weeks farmers across the region are going to struggle to complete this complex process and that these difficulties may mean CAP payments, which are due in December, are not received on time.
“Richard Lochhead had the opportunity to put farmers’ minds at ease by outlining what the Scottish Government was doing to fix this and he missed his opportunity.”