National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland is urging Scotland’s farmers and crofters to take advantage of Government loan schemes for a vital cashflow boost this October.

Letters have been issued to farmers across the country in recent weeks informing them on the Basic Payment Schemes (BSP) and Greening Loan Scheme (GLS) being issued by Scottish Government this week.

Support schemes

The National Basic Payment Support Scheme (NBPSS) 2018-19 loan offer letters give applicants the opportunity, by opting in, to secure up to 90% of their anticipated basic support in advance.

Offers are being made to more than 14,000 businesses with the potential to inject more than £249 million into the rural economy.

The response date is September 28 and the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) expect the first tranche of loan payments to be made in mid-October to those who apply before the deadline.

Policy director for CAP Schemes and Post-Brexit Agricultural Policy, Jenny Brunton reminds all those who received an offer to act now.

Acting now will ensure that you are ahead of the deadline will ensure that you will be considered for the first run of loan payments.

The last 12 months have been extremely difficult and challenging for farmers and crofters and the reality is that a long, costly winter still lies ahead.

“This loan scheme gives farmers and crofters the opportunity to opt-in for a loan that will go some significant way to easing the cashflow worries that are building on farms and crofts,” said Brunton.