FARMING SUPPORT payments of more than half a billion have been delivered to Scottish farmers and crofters well ahead of target.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has confirmed that more than £530 million was paid out by June 30, 2021, with all schemes exceeding the regulatory target of 95.24% and outperforming 2019 levels.

A total of 99.5% of Basic Payment Scheme, Greening and Young Farmer funds were paid by the end of June, with the 95.24% target having been met by the end of February – four months earlier than the previous year.

The Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, Upland Sheep Support Scheme and the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme also delivered more than 99% of payments by the end of June.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and impacts of Brexit continue to make this an incredibly challenging time for Scotland’s farming community," said Ms Gougeon.

“Financial stability is more critical than ever, which is why I am delighted that we have delivered improved performance across all scheme payments compared to 2019.

“We have paid more than half a billion pounds ahead of target and, in many cases, months before we did so in the previous year.

“Meeting these targets during a global health pandemic is a huge achievement," she continued. "Working from home, our teams have ensured that CAP payments are made swiftly and the Scottish Government will continue do everything it can to support farmers and crofters as we gradually and safely move out of lockdown.

“Our approach has been to focus on the Single Application Form (SAF) in order to deliver payments at volume and get the industry paid as soon as possible.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported this process, helping us provide our farmers and crofters with much-needed certainty, clarity and above all else, financial stability.”