THE Scottish political system should, in theory, be back refreshed from the summer recess, but as far as farming is concerned, the same old hangover of failed IT systems and a lack of political will to effect necessary change continues to bedevil.
The £10m still to be paid out in LFASS payments may not seem like a lot to some, but is still being keenly felt in the hills and glens. More importantly, however, is the feeling of dread that if the system is still unable to cope, what are the portents for the next round of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 payments, the start of which is normally less than three months away?
The upland sheep support scheme has great potential to reward real farming activity in our really remote areas, but a small number of changes to the scheme are essential if it is to fill its potential.
However, ScotGov has decided to continue with more or less the same rules as in year one. The conclusion must be that the flawed computer system and the civil service are determining the political process, and not, as it should be, the other way around.