A SCOTTISH Government wet weather concession delaying the deadline for applying to the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme is now being described by some sheep farmers as nothing more than a 'public relations exercise'.

This week, hill sheep farmers and crofters were reminded that although the deadline for applying to the SUSSS has been extended to November 30, 2017, any hoggs entered for the scheme must still be properly tagged and recorded by October 17 – and farmers have pointed out that the change of application dates makes little odds as it gives them no more time to complete the physical aspect of the work.

John Semple, manager at Ellary Farms, near Lochgilphead said: “We were pleased to see that an extension to the ewe hogg scheme had been put in place, but now we hear that eligible sheep for the scheme still have to be tagged by October 17. That means that it’s not really an extension at all.

“The two weeks’ grace would have allowed us to cope with the challenges of the weather extremes that we have experienced in Argyll and now we find it’s not actually the case. All the headlines declared a two-week extension, but it’s turned out to be nothing more than a PR exercise and I feel for fellow farmers in this area who are struggling with a lot of weather related issues and don’t have the time to gather hoggs to tag for the scheme.”

National Sheep Association regional chairman John Fyall said: "We weren't actually sent the amendments to the small print of the scheme, but it's ludicrous that they haven't changed the deadline that the physical hard work has to be done for. Changing the date for the hours work in the office is by-the-by.

"We would hope that this could be looked at urgently, and would certainly hope that no inspections will be carried out before December," said Mr Fyall.

"I would also urge members to make sure that they have purchased their tags before the October 17 deadline, so they can do their very best to fill their obligation. However, if anyone is found in breach of the rules before the end of November, the Scottish Government gesture of changing the deadline has really meant nothing," he stressed.

Earlier in the week, NFU Scotland director of policy Jonnie Hall welcomed the changes: “Many applicants to the 2017 SUSSS will be aware of the welcome extension to the application deadline to November 30, announced by the cabinet secretary last month.

“Fewer, however, might also appreciate that the retention period stays the same, and that will continue to run from October 17, 2017 to March 31, 2018. It is very important for claimants to remember that the rules of the ewe hogg scheme essentially require claimed animals to be tagged and recorded before the start of the retention period on October 17.

“While the prolonged wet weather means workloads are still well behind, it is important to remind our hill farmers and crofters of the SUSSS rules to avoid any problems should they be subject to an official inspection.”