Flooded Perthshire farmers who are still waiting on CAP payments following the Scottish Government’s failed IT system should be prioritised according to Murdo Fraser MSP.
In Parliament the Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP called on Farming Minister Richard Lochhead to prioritise delayed common agriculture payments to farmers who have been affected by flooding.
In response Richard Lochhead called on affected farmers to contact their local offices in order to make the Government aware of their situation.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Farmers across Perthshire are dealing with a double financial whammy with many still waiting on CAP payments before being hit by flooded fields and farm buildings over the Christmas period.
“I have called on the Scottish Government to prioritise the payment of delayed CAP funds to those farmers suffering as a result of the extreme weather and I would hope that they seriously investigate doing so.
“On the whole the Scottish Government needs to do more to help those affected by flooding. It took them a week to confirm it would spend the first batch of extra money for flooding. Now they have dragged their feet for almost two weeks on a further £5 million which has been made available as a result of extra UK Government spending. I would hope that areas affected in Mid-Scotland and Fife will see some of this funding, sooner rather than later.”