Rural Payments and Services

Since the start of November, more than £256m has been paid out in direct loan payments to over 12,500 farmers and producers. Farmers who have not yet applied are urged to do so by 14 December in order to receive payment by the end of the year.

The loans payments are 80 per cent of 2016 Basic Payment Support and Greening payments up to the maximum of €150,000. These funds are providing welcome financial certainty for Scotland’s farmers, injecting vital finances into the rural economy this winter.

Farmers won’t pay interest on these loans. We are required by European Union state aid rules to calculate a notional amount of interest on the loan, but provided farmers adhere to the loans terms and conditions they will not pay any interest.

Questions should be directed to your local area office or contact nationalBPSscheme@gov.scot.