McArthur challenges First Minister over farm payment delays

Speaking at First Minister's Questions, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur today demanded the government take action to remove the risk of basic payment delays for farmers who are still waiting for their Future Farming Investment Scheme claim evidence to be assessed.  

This follows reports from constituents who having already submitted the relevant evidence have been told they may face a delay in their basic payments until the FFIS evidence has been assessed.  

In response, the First Minister suggested the delays are a consequence of unsubmitted evidence by farm businesses. Yet this ignores the fact that farmers submitting evidence ahead of the deadline of 30 September still face BPS delays. Having set the deadline for the end of this month, Scottish Government failed to make clear that even complying with this deadline would not avoid the risk of delays in payments that are very often far more significant for farm businesses that FFIS awards.  

Commenting after the exchange, Mr McArthur said:  

"Farmers facing delays to their basic payments will not be impressed by the First Minister's refusal to accept any responsibility. Of course, a proper audit trail is essential when public funds are being paid out, but the Scottish Government has failed to be upfront with farmers. 

"Setting a deadline for submission of evidence to support successful FFIS awards but penalising farmers who comply with that deadline makes little sense. As a result, farm businesses in Orkney and across Scotland are at risk of serious cash flow problems creating unnecessary financial pressures at a time when there are no lack of other challenges facing the sector. 

"Ministers were rightly criticised for the poor implementation of the Future Farming Investment Scheme. It left many young, island and tenant farmers empty-handed, despite having been told they were the government's ‘priority’.  

"Now, even those who were successful in applying find they are being penalised for the government’s inefficiencies. It’s not too late for the Scottish Government to face up to its responsibilities and ensure farm businesses are not left counting the cost."