Balance of CAP payments on the way for farmers and crofters

Scottish farmers and crofters have been told by government that in the coming weeks and months, they will receive the balance of their 2017 CAP payments.

The majority of the 18,000 eligible for these cash support payments have already received up to 90 per cent of their support thanks to a Scottish Government loan scheme introduced in November.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said, “These payments will see farmers and crofters receive the final balance of payments, following my decision last year to provide a loan scheme worth up to 90 per cent of their entitlement.

“This decision meant that farmers were paid a high- 0 Fergus Ewing: Payments should arrive by June er proportion of their entitlement at an earlier time than ever before, ensuring no eligible farmer who accepted the offer of a loan was out of pocket.”

Ewing said he was confident that the vast majority of farmers and crofters would receive their payments by the end of June, thus demonstrating his commitment to support rural business and communities.

On behalf of his membership, NFUS president Andrew Mccornick said the payments came as “a timely boost for many members who have been seriously struggling financially following the difficult autumn, winter and early spring”.

“This is not the end of the Scottish Government’s commitments though and it is important that we now see the same urgency for the release of the LFASS balance, suckler calf payments and ewe hogg payments.

“With such a difficult six months for farmer across the regions and sectors, it is not inconceivable that these payments will be the most income some will receive until the end of autumn, after harvest and the back end sales.”