Over 18,000 Scottish farmers and crofters have received payments worth more than £300m under the Common Agricultural Policy’s Pillar 1 schemes.
In the coming months, eligible farmers and crofters will receive the final balance of their Common Agricultural Policy Pillar 1 entitlement for the 2017 scheme year.
Farmers have already received up to 90% through the Scottish government’s loan scheme in early November.
Over 18,000 eligible farmers will receive payments under Pillar 1 schemes that will help support investment and jobs.
Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has confirmed the first tranche of Basic Payment Support, Greening and Young Farmer payments for the 2017 scheme year.
“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% of their entitlement,” Mr Ewing said.
“This decision meant that farmers were paid a higher 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.
Mr Ewing added: “With further tranches being made in the coming weeks and months, I am confident that the vast majority of farmers and crofters will receive their payments by the end of the payment window, demonstrating my absolute commitment to support our rural business and communities.”
The first tranche of Pillar 1 payments are being processed with money due to reach bank accounts from 24 April onwards.
