Farm Payments in Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced it will use £200 million of national funds to make BPS and LFASS payments to struggling farmers and crofters.  First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has confirmed any farmer or crofter who has not received an installment of their Basic Payment by the end of March will receive a payment in April.  This payment will be worth 80% of their CAP claim and will be made from national funds.  Under EU rules EU funds cannot be used to pay out on claims during the payment window, 1^st December to 30^th June, unless they have been fully processed.

National funds will also be used to ensure Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) payments are received by farmers and crofters in March as normal.  The Scottish Government has said around 8,000 farmers will receive a payment worth 90% of their last year’s claim, whilst a further 1,400 who are only eligible for the minimum payment of £385 will receive that in full.

In addition, the announcement of national funds being made available means Scottish Beef Scheme payments will also be paid in April similar to previous years.

Farmers and crofters who have submitted a Basic Payment or LFASS application should receive a letter explaining what the Government intends to do and when, if they have any queries they are advised to contact the RPID customer helpline on 0300 300 2222.

As of 7^th March, 10,164 applicants, about 56% had received their first installment of their Basic Payment worth about 80% of their claim.  The worry is that delays this year will have a knock-on effect going forward into the 2016 claim where attentions will shortly be shifting.