NFU Scotland is urging action to clear outstanding Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) verification checks, with more than 1,200 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claims still requiring verification.
Figures supplied to The Scottish Farmer show that, as of 1 September, 1,293 BPS claimants still required verification of their FFIS claims.
Of these, 693 businesses had submitted their evidence and were awaiting assessment, while around 600 had yet to submit the information required to validate their FFIS claim.
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NFU Scotland recognises the need for appropriate checks on public funding and is encouraging RPID to continue working through outstanding verification cases as quickly as possible.
Successful FFIS applicants are required to provide evidence that approved investments have been purchased, paid for and, where required, installed. This can include invoices, receipts, proof of payment and geotagged photographs showing that grant-supported investments are located on the farm or croft.
NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said:
“NFU Scotland is pressing RPID to complete FFIS verification checks as quickly as possible so that farmers and crofters are not left waiting for vital support payments.
“Where businesses have submitted the required evidence in good time, there is clear justification for ensuring they are not disadvantaged when it comes to receiving advance BPS and Greening payments.
“While we recognise the need for appropriate checks on public funding, the process must be delivered efficiently. These payments are important for business cashflow, and unnecessary delays create uncertainty for farming and crofting businesses.
“We are continuing to engage with Scottish Government and RPID to ensure outstanding cases are resolved as quickly as possible. At the same time, businesses that have yet to submit their FFIS evidence should do so without delay.”
NFU Scotland is urging businesses that have received a request for outstanding FFIS evidence to provide the information as soon as possible, as verification must be completed before their BPS claim can progress.
The Union will continue to engage with Scottish Government and RPID as the verification process progresses and monitor the impact on BPS payments.
NOTES TO EDITOR
- A photograph of Andrew Connon is attached.
- Figures supplied to The Scottish Farmer show that, as of 1 September, 1,293 BPS claimants required FFIS verification.
- Of these, 693 had submitted evidence and were awaiting assessment, while around 600 had yet to submit the required evidence.
- Successful FFIS applicants must provide evidence that approved investments have been purchased, paid for and, where required, installed.
- Verification can include invoices, receipts, proof of payment, geotagged photographs and evidence relating to Whole Farm Plan requirements.
- The FFIS programme was increased to £21.4 million following NFU Scotland lobbying.
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