EFFORTS to encourage Scotland’s farmers and crofters to meet the May 15 deadline for submitting their Single Application Forms have been 'highly successful', and should smooth the way to an equally successful schedule of payment deliveries later this year.

That is according to NFU Scotland, which backed ScotGov's decision to stick to that May deadline, rather than opting to delay because of concerns over the impact of Covid-19 – on the understanding that 'forms on time' would then translate to 'payments on time'.

In the end, a total of 19,487 forms were submitted by the deadline, making claims under key schemes such as Basic Payment Scheme, Greening, Less Favoured Areas Support, Beef Efficiency Scheme, Young Farmers and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme.

The number of those forms completed online increased by 2% to more than 18,000 – approximately 92% of all applications – with only 8% received in paper form. The ability to apply by paper is coming to an end and all applications will be required to be completed online by 2022.

NFUS has also reminded those who met the May 15 deadline that changes to their forms can be made without penalty up until Monday June 1, 2020.

Director of policy Jonnie Hall said: “It took a concerted, collective effort, but sticking to the deadline and ensuring that claimants had all the support and information needed to complete their forms on time has been rewarded by the uptake.

“The help and assistance offered by RPID area offices and helplines this year was exceptional and a crucial factor in getting so many applications over the line.

“By sticking to the May 15 deadline, SGRPID now has the best opportunity to complete processing and make these payments in a timely manner.”