Friday 30 Nov 2007 @ 16:01
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Single Farm Payment Scheme
Around 90 per cent of eligible claims for Single Farm Payment are expected to be paid within the first month of the 2007 payment window, it was confirmed today.
Payments in December are expected to amount to over £330 million and represents support to more than 18,000 producers.
The payment window opens on December 1 although as this falls on a Saturday, payments will be made from Monday, December 3 2007.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"Scottish farmers have had a tough time of it this summer, with the Foot and Mouth outbreak in Surrey having a serious effect on the industry throughout Scotland.
"Today I am very pleased to bring better news. We pledged to pay at least 65 per cent of eligible Single Farm Payment claims on the earliest possible date, December 3.
"We have managed to exceed that target and I am sure farmers and crofters will welcome a considerable improvement on last year's performance.
"The Single Farm Payment is an important part of the mix of measures this Government is putting in place to deliver strong sustainable growth that will be enjoyed by communities in all parts of Scotland.
"Our priority now will be to work with producers to resolve any problems and I would urge all concerned to ensure that they respond promptly to any requests that will assist us to settle their claims."
Payments are being issued to producers who have successfully passed the Scottish Government's eligibility checks. Because of European Commission conditions attached to payments, farmers and crofters who have outstanding inspections or other eligibility issues cannot be paid until these have been resolved.
The Single Farm Payment Scheme is the replacement for historic arable and livestock direct support schemes in Scotland and this is the second year of operation. Farmers applied for the Scheme in May 2007.
In 2005 and 2006, the Scottish Executive achieved 59 per cent and 70 per cent respectively of payments by its target date of December 21.
The European Regulations fix a payment window that means payments can be made between 1 December 2007 and June 30, 2008. Farmers with outstanding Single Payment queries concerning eligibility cannot receive payment until these have been resolved: there is no provision for advances in 2007 and, therefore, eligible claims will be paid in full.
The payments farmers will receive are net of a 10 per cent reduction for Modulation (EC Modulation five per cent, Scottish Modulation five per cent).
Related Information
Payments in December are expected to amount to over £330 million and represents support to more than 18,000 producers.
The payment window opens on December 1 although as this falls on a Saturday, payments will be made from Monday, December 3 2007.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"Scottish farmers have had a tough time of it this summer, with the Foot and Mouth outbreak in Surrey having a serious effect on the industry throughout Scotland.
"Today I am very pleased to bring better news. We pledged to pay at least 65 per cent of eligible Single Farm Payment claims on the earliest possible date, December 3.
"We have managed to exceed that target and I am sure farmers and crofters will welcome a considerable improvement on last year's performance.
"The Single Farm Payment is an important part of the mix of measures this Government is putting in place to deliver strong sustainable growth that will be enjoyed by communities in all parts of Scotland.
"Our priority now will be to work with producers to resolve any problems and I would urge all concerned to ensure that they respond promptly to any requests that will assist us to settle their claims."
Payments are being issued to producers who have successfully passed the Scottish Government's eligibility checks. Because of European Commission conditions attached to payments, farmers and crofters who have outstanding inspections or other eligibility issues cannot be paid until these have been resolved.
The Single Farm Payment Scheme is the replacement for historic arable and livestock direct support schemes in Scotland and this is the second year of operation. Farmers applied for the Scheme in May 2007.
In 2005 and 2006, the Scottish Executive achieved 59 per cent and 70 per cent respectively of payments by its target date of December 21.
The European Regulations fix a payment window that means payments can be made between 1 December 2007 and June 30, 2008. Farmers with outstanding Single Payment queries concerning eligibility cannot receive payment until these have been resolved: there is no provision for advances in 2007 and, therefore, eligible claims will be paid in full.
The payments farmers will receive are net of a 10 per cent reduction for Modulation (EC Modulation five per cent, Scottish Modulation five per cent).
Related Information
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/grants/Schemes/SFPS/Introduction
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