'˜Overcautious approach to CAP payments' is hurting farmers

While the Scottish Government plays it safe to avoid EU fines over the implementation of new Common Agricultural Policy measures, farmers and many other rural businesses are suffering the financial penalties of this over-cautious approach.
Willie Rennie said the Government appeared to be 'overly cautious' in its approach to CAPWillie Rennie said the Government appeared to be 'overly cautious' in its approach to CAP
Willie Rennie said the Government appeared to be 'overly cautious' in its approach to CAP

That was the message taken on board by the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Willie Rennie, on a farm visit yesterday to gauge the knock-on effects of the late payment support measures caused by problems with the new £180 million IT system.

“It would certainly appear that the Scottish Government is being overly cautious in its approach and needs to push the EU much harder to get approval for measures which would allow them to take the necessary action and make these payments which keep the entire rural economy going,” he said.

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What do we want? Cash. When do we want it? Now
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NFU Scotland president, Allan Bowie said that as it now looked like the new IT system would struggle to make all payments on time anyway, the Scottish Government should move to pay them on the best information available and then sort the mess out after the money had gone out the door: We have been asking for details of any penalties which might be faced for some time – but so far the Scottish Government has not put a figure on this. Meanwhile the entire rural economy is paying the price and has ground to a halt because payments due for services which farmers have delivered are not being made.”

• It was announced that the union will also meet with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this evening ahead of the rally at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday, which aims to highlight the deepening cash crisis in Scotland’s countryside.

The union said that with prices for virtually every farm commodity on the floor and having endured the wettest winter on record, Scottish farmers and crofters wanted all Scottish MSPs to understand that the farming industry’s position as the cornerstone of the whole rural community was under threat.

The union said that the failure of the Scottish Government IT system to deliver farm payments lay at the root of the current cash-flow crisis – with just £100m of the total £400m paid so far.