The Scottish Government has confirmed it will accept applications for this year’s Scottish Beef Scheme beyond tomorrow’s (December 31) deadline , if producers are unable to submit it online.
A number of producers have experienced problems submitting their application for the scheme online due to a technical glitch with the government’s website.
Although government believes it has fixed the issue, it has confirmed it will accept late applications from those who were unable to submit their application online.
“We are aware of the issues and are trying to resolve them,” said Brian Endicott from the Scottish Government’s rural payments and inspections directorate (RPID).
“If you are unable to access Rural Payments Online, close your browser for a few minutes, re-open it, then try again.”
He urged producers to regularly save their claims as they submitted the information online, by clicking on the ‘save changes’ button.
Any producers who find themselves logged out of Rural Payments Online, are advised to log back in and select ‘Start a New Claim or continue with a Saved Claim’ within the Scottish Beef Scheme section of the website.
“Your saved claim should be retained and you can continue with it,” said Mr Endicott, who urged producers to try and stick to the application deadline.
“If you are still unable to submit your claim, please email www.ruralpaymentsonline@scotland.gsi.gov.uk with as much detail as possible.”
The email, said Mr Endicott, should contain the business name, main location code, contact details, number of animals in the claim, and also if possible an attached list of all the animals.
“Because the technical issue is at our end and you have contacted us, we will be able to accept your claim beyond the deadline of December 31 if you are unable to submit it online. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused,” added Mr Endicott.
NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller said: “This is a glitch that has affected a few claimants. Although the system has been retuned, this notification is to catch any producers that are still experiencing a problem.”