SCOTLAND'S farmers and crofters have until December 6 to apply for a loan under ScotGov's National Basic Payment Support Scheme.

These loans have been offered to eligible farmers and crofters to deliver an advance of up to 95% of their Basic Payment 2019 entitlement earlier than it could be paid out via the formal Common Agricultural Policy system, which has been lagging since its changeover to area-based calculations.

Since this year's loan offers were made in September, more than 13,900 loan payments have been processed, worth more than £337.3 million.

Encouraging any farmers and crofters who are still to apply for a loan ahead of AgriScot, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “We have made loans available specifically to give farmers and crofters a degree of financial security as we enter 2020.

“I am delighted that over 13,900 farmers and crofters have so far taken this offer up, injecting more than £337 million into the rural economy to date with more payments being made all the time.

“The scheme is working well, as more money is being delivered to farmers and crofters through this mechanism than ever before – with an additional £17 million being paid to a further 400 applicants when compared with this time last year," said Mr Ewing.

“However, I am aware that there are still some who have not taken our loan offer up. To them, I say you have until December 6 to return your offer, and the sooner we receive your acceptance form, the sooner we can get your payment to you.”