Less than two weeks until Single Application Form deadline

May 3, 2019 at 10:07 am

Although spring work will be keeping farmers across Scotland busy, they are being urged not to forget to fill out their Single Application Form (SAF).

Farmers and crofters in Orkney are reminded to complete their Single Application Form (SAF) before the deadline of May 15.

With the Single Application Form (SAF) window closing on that date, the farmers union in Scotland, NFUS, is encouraging crofters and farmers to prioritise filling out their forms as soon as possible.

The good weather over the last few weeks may have seen farmers prioritise busy spring work over their SAF, but the union is urging these farmers to take the time to fill out their SAF, either online or by a paper copy which, in Orkney, is available from the Local Area Offices in the government buildings, in Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall.

The online application process has seen significant improvements in recent years and the clear majority of applications are now made online. By submitting applications online, the system will flag any errors before submitting your application. Individuals can also go to their Local Area Office where staff will be on hand to assist those completing their form online.

Farmers and crofters are reminded to submit all supporting documentation and keep a proof of submission, whether that be a receipt from your area office or for online applications, print off proof of your submission including the date.

NFU Scotland policy manager for CAP Schemes Jenny Brunton said: “The recent good weather may have been a welcome distraction for many farmers and crofters who are yet to complete their 2019 SAF but we cannot emphasise enough how important prioritising this work is.

“The deadline of the May 15 is fast approaching and we urge farmers and crofters to concentrate on completing their submission before the last hour. The key thing that everyone completing a form needs to do is double check before and after submission that what is intended to be the BPS claim is actually what is submitted, and don’t forget the Young Farmer Top Up if you are lucky enough to be in that age bracket.”

For more guidance on how to fill our the SAF, or submit your SAF online, click here.