Support payments to Scottish farmers to begin next week

NFU Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that support payments to Scottish farmers will begin on Monday 2 December.  This maintains the Scottish Government’s good track record in the prompt delivery of the Single Farm Payment (SFP) to eligible farmers.

According to the Scottish Government, around 15,700 producers receive their SFP on Monday 2 December, worth an estimated £380 million to the rural economy.

Given the cash flow problems that some Scottish farmers continue to face in the wake of a desperate and demanding winter and spring, the Union is urging the Scottish Government to make every effort in ensuring that every SFP claimant gets delivery of their payment by the end of December.

NFU Scotland Director of Policy, Jonnie Hall said:

“The physical and financial resilience of farm businesses across Scotland have been pushed to near breaking point over the last 12 months, even with the respite of a decent summer.  So prompt delivery of the SFP is very welcome, but also badly needed.

“This payment run will bolster 15,700 farm businesses into the New Year, but we would want to see all eligible claimants receive a similar boost before the year is out.

“Getting so many payments out on the first day that payments are permitted by European rules is commendable, and we look to the Scottish Government to make every effort to complete its full payment run by the end of December."  

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Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108