NFU Scotland has expressed its utter dismay that the commitment it had secured from the Scottish Executive that the outstanding support payments for all farmers whose applications have been cleared would be issued by the 31 May, is now not going to be honoured.

Yet again, computer problems have led to a delay, leaving thousands of farmers still waiting for their payments.

NFU Scotland has been told that the processing of National Reserve applications under the Single Farm Payment Scheme has been divided into two phases. The first phase is now complete and payment will reach the bank accounts of producers from 6 June. These producers will have received a letter informing them of their award.

Work is continuing on the second phase. NFU Scotland has said that there can be no excuse for a delay, caused by computers, in payment of the second phase. Should computer problems arise again, NFU Scotland has said that payments must be issued manually. Payments from the second phase are scheduled to reach bank accounts from 12 June.

NFU Scotland President, John Kinnaird, said:

“We were promised that all farmers whose applications had been cleared would be paid by the end of the month. Due to yet more computer problems, the Executive is now not going to achieve this.

“It is now over five months since the payment window opened and our members’ patience has been exhausted. I understand that the system has presented a number of challenges to the Executive but they have had enough chances to get it right. There cannot be any further delays.

“Should more problems arise, the Executive must abandon further futile attempts to rectify computer problems and commence manual payments so that our members can be assured of getting their money as soon as possible.”

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