The Scottish Government has announced that farmers will receive their CAP payments up to four months late this year, due to delays around its online single application system.
In a press release, published last night, Richard Lochhead announced that farmers would only receive partial payments and that these would be late.
Payments are to be made in two instalments, starting at the end of December. First payments won’t be completed until the end of March, with the balance of payments only finished at the end of April, 4 months late. Ludicrously, this is only a few weeks before farmers will be expected to submit their claim forms for 2016 CAP payments.
Murdo Fraser MSP has repeatedly warned that payments would be delayed due to the Scottish Government’s failure to get a grip of the new online application system. The news comes after it was revealed that the overall income from farming in Scotland fell by 17% from last year’s figures.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said
“Whilst it is welcome that some farmers will get some badly needed support in December, this announcement is an admission of failure from Richard Lochhead.
“Farmers were constantly told payments would be made on time, now with December fast approaching, the Scottish Government has been forced to admit payments will be four months late.
“This is a huge blow for farmers in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire and many will now face struggles with their finances over the coming months. We are now also in the ludicrous situation where farmers will receive their payments only a few weeks before it all starts again for 2016.
“The SNP have been warned time and time again about this issue but chose to ignore them, farmers deserve much better than this from the Scottish Government.”