Rural Payments and Services

Processing of Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) 2023 payments has commenced with the first payments expected to start reaching the bank accounts of farmers and crofters from Thursday 28 March, in line with the 2023 Rural Payments Strategy timetable. Over £37 million in support has been issued to 5,975 claimants which represents over 93% of those eligible to receive the funding.

The individual animal payment rates for 2023 are as detailed below:

• Mainland: £105.10 per animal

• Islands: £151.24 per animal

Under the 2022 scheme the payment rates were £101.42 per animal for SSBSS Mainland and £144.48 per animal for SSBSS Islands. The increase in payment rate for 2023 is due to a slight decrease in animals claimed.

For the 2023 schemes around 327,210 animals were claimed by 5,261 eligible businesses under SSBSS Mainland and 39,161 animals were claimed by 1,162 businesses under SSBSS Islands.

As a comparison to the schemes in 2022, 338,764 animals were claimed by 5,298 businesses under SSBSS Mainland and 40,976 animals were claimed by 1,201 businesses under SSBSS Islands.