Government rejects calls for part-payment of SFP subsidy
The government’s stance is supported by NFU Scotland, which accepted that the administration of dealing with advance payments would inevitably lead to delays in paying out the main SFP, which is due in early December and is worth more than £450 million to Scottish farmers.
Under European Union rules, the government could make advance payments of up to 50 per cent of the full amount due to farmers from 16 October.
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Hide AdHowever, a spokesman said the farming industry would be best served by the government ensuring that the SFP was paid in full in December.
“We are extremely sympathetic to the challenges facing farmers and crofters in some parts of Scotland due to the exceptional weather conditions,” the spokesman said.
“We have a consistently excellent track record in delivering the bulk of payments in December and focusing on paying 50 per cent in advance to a selection of farmers would delay our ability to make full payment to others.”
NFUS, while supporting this approach, yesterday made a plea to the government to ensure farm businesses received 100 per cent of their SFP entitlement as early in December as possible.
The government has told the union that the earliest an advance payment could be made would be late October or early November, with the balance of payments delayed until sometime in the new year.
Less favoured areas support due to be paid in the spring could also be delayed.
“It is little surprise that we are receiving calls from members, who are toiling to cope with poor harvest conditions and escalating feed costs, about an advance on the SFP,” said chief executive, Scott Walker.
“We recognise the potential problems which would arise going down this route and, on balance, believe the best thing is for the government to ensure that SFP is paid out in full to as many farm businesses as possible as soon as the payment window opens.”