More help to make submissions online

Farmers and crofters are being encouraged to apply online for Common Agricultural Policy subsidy support in future.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said producers applying for Basic Payment Scheme support using the Single Application Form (SAF) next year will be offered more support to help them carry out the submission process online.

He assured farmers that online applications would not become compulsory, but said those who wished to move from paper to online applications would be offered one-to-one guidance from local area offices.

“This new focus forms a major part of our priority actions in the coming year to modernise and improve the service we provide our farmers,” said Mr Ewing.

“For SAF 2018 we will be encouraging online take-up by the remaining paper customers and will be offering support to help them apply and manage their land information online.

“Achieving this will reduce the time spent manually processing claims and checking and correcting errors, ultimately making the payment process more efficient and easier. This in turn will provide farmers with more time to focus on the important business of farming.”