Question
Untitled item
S4W-28784 · Written Question · lodged by Baillie, Jackie
Lodged on
02 Dec 2015Heard / answered on
18 Dec 2015To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects that there will be delays in making the 2015 direct payments and, if so, (a) for what reason and (b) whether it will pay the (i) arrangement fee and (ii) interest on any bank loans that farmers take out as a result.
The answer
I announced in November 2015 that the first direct payments should begin arriving in bank accounts by the end of December 2015. Virtually all farmers should receive an initial payment by the end of March 2016 and the balance of payments in April 2016. The payment window, which is set by the European Union, runs from 1 December to 30 June in each scheme year, therefore payments are not officially delayed unless paid beyond 30 June 2016.
As a result of a meeting I chaired on 19 November 2015, the banks agreed to encourage all producers to consider their cash flow position and to contact their bank as soon as possible if they have any concerns.
As a result of a meeting I chaired on 19 November 2015, the banks agreed to encourage all producers to consider their cash flow position and to contact their bank as soon as possible if they have any concerns.
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 Dec 2015.