Farmers and crofters who applied for support under the new ewe hogg scheme are still waiting for their payments from government, according to NFU Scotland (NFUS).
The union last night hit out at government over the lack of progress in issuing monies under the £6million Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) and called for a payment timetable and the exact payment rate to be confirmed as soon as possible.
The union also issued a plea for a number of changes to be made to the scheme and said it had written to government with its proposals.
NFUS director of policy Jonnie Hall said: “Although having still to complete its first year, and an expectation that claims to the scheme will likely mean a reduction in the estimated payment rate of ¤100 (£85.47) per ewe hogg, we believe there are strong arguments to amend SUSSS to make it more practical and effective for those sheepkeepers reliant on Region 3 land.”
The union’s proposed changes include a wider application period running from October 1 to December 31, rather than September 1 to October 16. This would then result in a new retention period running from January 1 to March 31.
The union has also called for the number of ewe hoggs that can be claimed on to be limited to no more than 25% of the ewes and gimmers of the regular breeding flock that the ewe hoggs are due to enter.
It has also called for further controls to be created, in addition to the requirement to have a minimum of four hectares of Region 3 land per ewe hogg claimed, to prevent overclaiming by those with an excess of ewe hoggs over and above the numbers required to maintain their breeding flock.
A Scottish Government spokesman said last night: “As NFU Scotland are well aware, the Scottish Government has been wholly focused on making as many BPS/greening payments as possible by the end of June. As we have advised on at least two occasions, it has always been the government’s intention to commence sheep payments this month.
“Until now, the NFUS had expressed no concern about this. However, we will take on board what it is now saying about the timetable. We will also consider its proposed changes to the scheme carefully.”
