Payments worth more than £300 million will start arriving in the bank accounts of farmers and crofters today.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing yesterday confirmed that more than 18,000 eligible producers will start receiving the final balance of their Common Agricultural Policy Pillar 1 entitlement for 2017. Initial payments were made through a government loan.
“I can confirm that the first tranche of Basic Payment Support, Greening and Young Farmer payments for the 2017 scheme year have now begun,” said Mr Ewing. “These payments will see farmers and crofters receive the final balance of payments, following my decision last year to provide a loan scheme worth up to 90% of their entitlement.
“This decision meant that farmers were paid a higher proportion of their entitlement at an earlier time than ever before, ensuring no eligible farmer who accepted the offer of a loan was out of pocket.
“With further tranches being made in the coming weeks and months, I am confident that the vast majority of farmers and crofters will receive their payments by the end of the payment window.”
