Ewing: troubled IT system ‘improving’

The Scottish Government has claimed its crippled farm payments IT system is improving.

According to Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing, the latest figures show it was available for 98% of the Single Application Form (SAF) window, a contrast to previous years when the troubled system was frequently closed for maintenance or due to system errors.

“So far we have received a provisional total of 19,862 applications for 2017 Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) payments before the deadline,” he said.

“In particular, I am pleased that we have had an increase in online applications.”

Online SAF applications for 2017 were 15,563, and the provisional number for paper applications is 4,299. In 2016 there were 15,320 online submissions and 5,001 paper applications.

Mr Ewing said there had been a slight decrease in the overall number of applications.

“For those who wish to make an application but have not met the deadline, it is still possible to submit a claim, which will be subject to a modest penalty reduction. I can assure farmers and crofters that we continue to work on the application site to make it as easy as possible to submit your SAF online.”

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said: “It is encouraging that so many Scottish farmers and crofters have successfully met the SAF 2017 deadline of May 15.

“Due to IT problems, deadline extensions were necessary in both 2015 and 2016 but the improvement in the application process is welcome and has given more applicants the confidence to go through the process online.”

He called on the Government to capitalise on the timely conclusion to the application process.

He said: “We want Scottish Government to build on that momentum and quickly issue a clear and accurate payments timetable to farmers and crofters to allow them to plan their expected cashflows in the year ahead.”

Fergus Ewing.