A highly successful campaign encouraging Scotland’s farmers and crofters to meet the 15 May deadline for submitting their Single Application Forms (SAF) should smooth the way to a successful schedule for delivering payments later this year.

The decision to stick to the 15 May SAF deadline in Scotland rather than opting to delay because of concerns over the impact of Covid-19 on the application process was backed by NFU Scotland.  

Working with Scottish Government and other stakeholders, 19,487 forms were submitted by the deadline, enabling claims under key schemes such as Basic Payment Scheme, Greening, Less Favoured Areas Support, Beef Efficiency Scheme, Young Farmers and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme.

The number of forms completed online increased by two per cent to more than 18,000 – approximately 92 per cent of all applications - with only eight per cent received in paper form.  The ability to apply by paper is coming to an end and all applications will be required to be completed online by 2022.

NFUS is also reminding those who met the 15 May deadline this year that changes to the forms can be made without penalty up until Monday 1 June 2020.

Director of Policy Jonnie Hall said: “It took a concerted, collective effort, but sticking to the deadline and ensuring that claimants had all the support and information needed to complete their forms on time has been rewarded by the uptake.

“The help and assistance offered by RPID area offices and helplines this year was exceptional and a crucial factor in getting so many applications over the line.

“By sticking to the 15 May deadline, SGRPID now has the best opportunity to complete processing and make these payments in a timely manner.”

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006