Mike Rumbles MSP has uncovered that over 700 farm businesses across Scotland are still to receive their full entitlement from the Scottish Government, as a result of its CAP payments shambles.

Following a written question from the North East MSP to the Scottish Government, tabled back in July but only answered today, it has emerged that almost 500 applications from 2015 have still not even been processed.

Mr Rumbles said: “It is a disgrace that we have waited almost two months for the Minister to answer this simple question, but that is nothing compared to the farmers and their families who have been waiting over nine months for the Scottish Government to process their payments.

“Governments have come and gone in less time than it has taken this administration to get to grips with their absolute bungle over CAP payments. And only last week, with great disappointment for many rural communities, the Minister confirmed that the crisis would carry on into next year’s round of funding.

“The damage that is being caused to our rural economy and farming businesses will take years to heal, but the Scottish Government appear determined to go on as if nothing is wrong. They should hang their heads in shame.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT - WRITTEN ANSWER - 20 September 2016 (Holding Reply Issued 29 August 2016) - Index Heading: Enterprise & Environment

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats) – submitted on 17/07/16: To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met its target to pay all final common agricultural policy payments by 30 June 2016 and, if not, what percentage of the total payment amount remains outstanding, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division local office. S5W-01537

Fergus Ewing: In response to the first part of your question, I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01160 on 17 July 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

As outlined in that response, it is not possible to confirm the value of outstanding payments, and hence the percentage remaining to be paid, as cases are still undergoing processing and the number of businesses eligible for payment is subject to change while that processing continues. However, details of the number of currently eligible businesses either fully paid, partially paid or not paid, broken down by area office as at 14 September 2016 is in the following table: