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Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has launched a loan scheme for crofters and farmers after delays with the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme subsidy.

 

Issues with a new £178 million Scottish Government computer system has caused problems for the last two years.

 

Mr Ewing pledged to commit tackle the causes of the poor service and errors and also provide a more certain timetable for future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments.

 

His action plan aims at stabilising CAP delivery including a clear payment schedule for schemes to help crofters and farmers plan ahead.

 

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant criticised the “ongoing fiasco” of a system “unfit for purpose.”

 

She said producers should be paid in “full and on time.”

 

Alasdair Allan MSP said: “Everyone, including the government, acknowledges that there were unacceptable delays in CAP payments over the last two years.”

 

Mr Allan believes the plan will “go a long way” to ensure the last of the late payments are made and that better arrangements are place for the future.

Crofters offered loans after subsidy delays

13 Sept 2017