Rural Payments and Services

The first payment runs for 2016 Rural Priorities claims have been initiated this week (week beginning 21 August) and an initial tranche of payments should start reaching bank accounts from 30 August.

We made 1100 LFASS 2015 payments in July and have initiated further LFASS 2015 payments this week, which should reach bank accounts on 29 August.

The extended timescale for processing Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) 2015 payments has impacted on our ability to start LFASS 2016 payments, but testing and pre-payment checking work is under way and we expect to start LFASS 2016 payments in late September.

We remain on track to make Land Managers Options (LMO), Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS), Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) and Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) payments in the autumn, as previously indicated.

We continue to process remaining 2016 payments for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Greening, Young Farmer, Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) and Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) on a rolling basis, with the aim of completing the large majority of remaining payments during August and September.

We regret that some customers are still waiting for their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments, particularly those still awaiting LFASS 2015 payments, but we hope this update is helpful. If you have any queries or concerns please contact your local area office.