17 March 2011
Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) payment update
Due to severe weather conditions over the winter, some LFASS payments are hitting bank accounts later than usual this year.
The weather made it impossible for inspectors to carry out the necessary on-farm inspections which EU regulations require to be complete before any payments can be made. The EU turned down our request for permission to make payments in advance of inspections being complete due to adverse weather conditions. This meant that payment progress was set back by around five weeks.
However, we are treating LFASS payments as a priority, and 80% of claimants have now been paid. This means that around 8,800 farmers and crofters across Scotland have received a total of some £47 million, and we aim to pay 90% by the end of March.