WIREDGOV

Surge in submissions ahead of deadline.

Scotland’s Single Application Form (SAF) submission tally is set to reach the halfway point this week, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has revealed.

With less than three weeks to go until the closing date of June 15, 2015, the Scottish Government has received 10,543 (48 per cent) of the 22,000 SAFs expected this year.

At about the same stage last year - three weeks before the SAF deadline - just 22 per cent of applications had been received.

Mr Lochhead said:

"Reaching the halfway point for SAF applications almost three weeks before the window closes is a significant milestone in this first year of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

"We have seen a real surge in the rate of applications since the major upgrade of the new Rural Payments and Services website at the start of the month. If this continues, we will be on track to receive all applications ahead of this year's deadline, which has been extended by one month because of the complexity of the new system. We are implementing a very complex EU policy, and there have been some issues with the new system. I am grateful for the patience farmers have shown us as we work to iron these out.

"I continue to urge farmers and crofters not to delay registering for Rural Payments and Services and submitting their SAF as soon as it is finalised."

Scotland's Chief Agricultural Officer David Barnes added:

"Farmers and crofters should register for Rural Payments and Services and get their applications in as soon as they can, and not leave it until the last minute. We have a new, more complex policy this year as well as the new online system and so filling in the SAF may take longer than in previous years.

"I have been getting positive feedback about the improvements we made to Rural Payments and Services at the start of this month, although I know some people are still experiencing a few issues and my team continues to monitor and update the system.

"But if you need any help with your SAF, or encounter any issues, then support is available from local area offices."

Notes To Editors

The SAF window in Scotland this year has been extended by one month and will close on June 15, 2015.

As of May 27, 2015 a total of 10,543 SAFs have been submitted, 6,291 (60 per cent) online and 4,252 (40 per cent) on paper. 
As of May 27, 2015 a total of 20,901 (95 per cent) of farmers and crofters have registered to use Rural Payments and Services, which is required to receive CAP payments. Register online or book an appointment and ask your local RPID staff for help.

The Scottish Government received a total of 21,730 SAFs between March 15, 2014 and May 15, 2014. Of those, 13,559 (62 per cent) were online and 8,171 (38 per cent) were on paper. In 2014, 22 per cent of SAFs were submitted with three weeks to go, 33 per cent with two weeks to go and 53 per cent were submitted with one week to go until the deadline.