'Debacle': Some Scottish farmers still waiting for 2015 CAP payments

NFU Scotland have said only after these people have been paid will the 'debacle' of 2015 payments finally be concluded
NFU Scotland have said only after these people have been paid will the 'debacle' of 2015 payments finally be concluded

The Scottish government must ensure it sees a change in the way it delivers CAP payment to farmers this year as last year the faulty system brought the economy 'to the brink of collapse', NFU Scotland have said.

The union wrote to the Scottish parliament's public audit and post-legislative scrutiny committee to ask what payments remain outstanding and to stress that concerns about the capability of the whole system remain high.

The Holyrood-based committee last heard evidence from Scottish Government officials on the CAP Futures IT programme in early December.

Problems within the CAP Futures system have prevented payments for a number of more complex claims and anomaly cases.

Administrative hurdles

NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker said only after the last group of farmers have been paid will the 'debacle' of 2015 payments finally be concluded.

He said: "Whilst the majority of 2015 payments have been completed, those that are still awaiting payments or continue to face administrative hurdles are having the future of their farm businesses unnecessarily undermined.

"We understand several thousand Scottish farmers and crofters have yet to have 2015 claims completely settled.

"The list includes those who have applied for Less Favoured Areas support; the beef calf scheme; the hill ewe hogg scheme; Rural Priorities; Land Managers Options and those who entered into private contract clauses to transfer Basic Payment Scheme entitlements.

"In value, it amounts to several millions from 2015 schemes that have yet to enter farming bank accounts – even though we are now in the second week of 2017.

'Focus should remain on outstanding cases'

Mr Walker said the focus should remain on resolving these outstanding cases from 2015.

He continued: "We understand that the Committee has requested a fresh update from Scottish Government on its CAP IT system by the end of this month.

"It is essential that focus remains on resolving these outstanding cases from 2015; and NFUS hopes to see Scottish Government come forward with a step change in delivery that gives an unambiguous timetable for the delivery of the 2016 balance payments, and future payment rounds across all schemes in 2017 and beyond.

Mr Walker concluded: "NFU Scotland is adamant that 2017 must see Scottish Government draw a line under the long running payment debacle and put farmers and crofters on a clear footing with regards to payments."