2001 error threatens Scots SFP

ABOUT 1000 farmers in Scotland face uncertainty over their single farm payment entitlement after the Scottish Executive identified problems with past cattle support claims.

The SFP in Scotland, paid from 2005, is based on historic support payments in the reference period from 2000-2002.

Now, the Scottish Executive‘s Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) has discovered that the process used to check 2001 claims against data held by the British Cattle Movement Service was not 100% accurate.

According to National Farmers Union Scotland, all 2001 cattle claims are being re-checked by the executive to ensure that payments based on that initial cross-check in 2001 remain valid.

Scott Walker, union policy director, says that about 1000 farmers will receive a letter from the executive stating that one, or more, of the cattle claimed under the 2001 schemes has failed the re-checking exercise.

About 2500 cattle are believed to be involved.

If the cross-checking problems are not resolved, then payments made on the cattle in question will be recovered. And, depending on the outcome, SFP entitlements could be affected.

Mr Walker advised farmers who receive the letter to check the details of the animals deemed to have failed and the reasons for that.

“This information should be examined carefully and any errors corrected by contacting the local SEERAD area office,” he said.

Farmers should not contact BCMS, Mr Walker added.

“Information should be provided to the local SEERAD area office as soon as possible, and by Aug 31 at the latest,” he said.