Almost 1,300 Scottish BPS claims delayed by farm grant checks

Almost 1,300 Scottish Basic Payment Scheme claims remain unresolved because of outstanding Future Farming Investment Scheme verification, as NFU Scotland presses for faster action.

Figures supplied to The Scottish Farmer show that 1,293 BPS claimants still required FFIS verification as of 1 September.

Of those, 693 businesses had already submitted their evidence and were waiting for assessment, while around 600 had yet to provide the information needed to validate their claims.

NFU Scotland said farmers and crofters who had supplied their evidence on time should not be disadvantaged when advance BPS and Greening payments are made, warning that delays could put pressure on farm business cashflow.

The union accepts that checks are necessary where public money is involved but wants RPID to work through the outstanding cases as quickly as possible.

NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said: “NFU Scotland is pressing RPID to complete FFIS verification checks as quickly as possible so that farmers and crofters are not left waiting for vital support payments.”

Successful FFIS applicants must provide evidence showing that approved investments have been purchased, paid for and, where required, installed.

This can include invoices, receipts, proof of payment, geotagged photographs and evidence relating to Whole Farm Plan requirements.

Mr Connon said businesses which submitted the required information in good time should not be penalised by delays in the verification process.

“Where businesses have submitted the required evidence in good time, there is clear justification for ensuring they are not disadvantaged when it comes to receiving advance BPS and Greening payments,” he said.

He added: “While we recognise the need for appropriate checks on public funding, the process must be delivered efficiently. These payments are important for business cashflow, and unnecessary delays create uncertainty for farming and crofting businesses.”

The Future Farming Investment Scheme provides grant support for approved investments on farms and crofts, with the programme increased to £21.4 million following lobbying by NFU Scotland.

The union said it is continuing to engage with the Scottish Government and RPID over the remaining cases and will monitor any impact on BPS payments.

However, NFU Scotland also stressed that some of the outstanding claims cannot progress until businesses provide the evidence requested from them.

Mr Connon said: “We are continuing to engage with Scottish Government and RPID to ensure outstanding cases are resolved as quickly as possible. At the same time, businesses that have yet to submit their FFIS evidence should do so without delay.”