SCOTLAND'S Upland Sheep Support Scheme requires 'urgent' changes – but they needn't cost the taxpayer another penny, according to NFU Scotland.

The scheme, worth around £6 million, is designed to assist active hill farmers and crofters through a payment coupled to the number of ewe hoggs they keep as breeding replacements for their flocks. But as it continues into its third year, the union has warned that the scheme is still causing difficulty for those most reliant on its support.

Calling on ScotGov to introduce two key changes to the scheme's rules, the union insisted that it could be made more effective in meeting its policy goals without compromising its eligibility, inspection or validation – and still be 'budget neutral'.

Firstly, NFUS wants the SUSSS application period extended, from its current September 1 to October 16, to September 1 to November 30, with the start of a new retention period from December 1 to March 31.

Secondly, the union proposes that the number of eligible ewe hoggs that can be claimed on should be no more than a fixed proportion – perhaps 20 or 25% – of the ewes and gimmers of the regular breeding flock of the claimant.

These recommendations have been unanimously agreed by the union's board of directors, its LFA committee, its Crofting and Highlands and Islands committee, the Argyll and the Islands regional board, and its Highland regional board.

NFUS president Andrew McCornick said: “We are not seeking to amend the budget or payment rate components of the scheme, but we are seeking to make it more closely aligned to the interests of those businesses it is clearly intended to support.

“The application period is evidently too short for many hill farmers and crofters," said Mr McCornick. "Some are not able to access hill ground until after the close of the application period (October 16) due to the terms of their lease that prevent them from gathering eligible animals until after October 20 (the end of the stag stalking season). And many simply cannot fully gather all their eligible animals in such a narrow time frame.

“I believe that these changes to application and retention periods would not compromise the required inspection regime, but would give those applicants dependent on the scheme the best opportunity to access this support specifically targeted at them."

To improve the effectiveness of ewe hogg payments being targeted at those most reliant on these payments, NFUS was also adamant that those with an excess of ewe hoggs over and above the numbers required to maintain their breeding flock should be prevented from taking advantage of the SUSSS.

As The Scottish Farmer went to press, the only official response to the NFUS recommendations was: “The Scottish Government will consider the representations made by the NFUS, together with any evidence they are able to provide about the operation of the scheme as well as the impact of EC regulatory requirements, which limit the extent of scheme changes that can be made, and will respond in due course.”