McArthur: Government loan may offer the only certainty farmers and crofters

The Scottish Government agricultural loan may be the only reliable option for Orkney’s farmers and crofters, according to Orkney MSP Liam McArthur.

The deadline for applying to the Scottish Government’s National Loan Scheme is only a week away, October 12.

Mr McArthur has backed calls from NFU Scotland for the Scottish Government to ensure all eligible farmers and crofters receive what they are due by the 15 October.

Speaking following agriculture minister Fergus Ewing’s latest emergency statement to the Scottish Parliament on the CAP payments fiasco, yesterday, Mr McArthur said: “Despite yet another statement in parliament today, the rural affairs minister appears no closer to setting out a timeframe for making the next round of payments.

“The Scottish Government’s loan scheme should never have been needed, but its very existence speaks volumes about the minister’s confidence in the ability of his £178 million IT system to do the job it was bought to do.

“Taking the loan may therefore be the only reliable option for farmers and crofters in Orkney who want to avoid the risks of an uncertain payments timetable.”