Fuming farmers are still waiting for £12million in delayed CAP payments – despite a Scottish Government pledge to give them their money “as quickly as possible”.
New figures indicate 500 claimants have still not received any cash – despite the fact the original deadline for delivering the EU cash was more than a month ago.
Almost 2,000 people are also still to receive their full payments, with millions of pounds waiting to be injected into the rural economy.
Last night, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles said the situation had “barely improved” since the middle of last month.
The Scottish Government could face heavy fines from Brussels if it fails to deliver all of the payments by the new October deadline.
Making the CAP payments has been beset with difficulties for months amid a £178million IT debacle.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing insisted “good progress” was being made in getting the CAP money to farmers.
North-east member Mr Rumbles said: “These figures have barely improved on the 17,700 farmers who had received partial or full payments by July 14.
“The Scottish Government said it would do everything possible to get payments out before the end of June.
“They have utterly failed to correct their mistake, and now almost two thousand farmers remain out of pocket as a result.”
According to the latest figures, 18,479 farmers are eligible for payments, of which 17,913 have received some of their money.
A total of about £313million has been paid out of the almost £325million due.
Over 16,600 have now been paid in full – but Mr Rumbles said this was not good enough.
He said: “The original deadline for payments to be made is now a month overdue, what have the SNP been doing in that time?
“They have been let off the hook by the good graces of the EU Commissioner who has extended the deadline for all payments to be made before the Scottish Government is fined for its incompetence.
“Not to mention the damage caused to our agricultural sector and rural economy, and the uncertainty farmers and their families have been forced to endure.
“The commissioner has extended the deadline until October, but there is no good reason farmers should have to wait that long.
“I want to see a commitment from the SNP that this will be dealt with by the end of the month at the latest.”
Mr Ewing said it was his “utmost priority” to get the rest of the money paid.
He said: “The Scottish Government’s focus on processing remaining payments is unwavering and I can confirm that now the vast majority of beef and sheep scheme payments have been made we will turn our attention to other schemes.
“I remain determined to put the system on a proper footing for 2016 payments and will update parliament in September.”
