Farmers and crofters remain in the dark about when their subsidy support payments will be delivered this year.
Scottish Government says it is “working flat out” to start making payments by the end of the year, but NFU Scotland has warned this is not likely to happen.
The union has now called on government to take advantage of EU rules to make partial payments in November.
The rules were give member states the option to pay up to 70% of direct support payments from October 16. The payments can be made without on-farm inspections, provided administrative checks have been carried out.
Following a meeting with government officials this week, union president Allan Bowie said: “It is apparent to NFUS, based on Scottish Government rhetoric in recent days and weeks, that meeting that December delivery timetable is simply not going to happen.
“In the absence of a categorical statement from Scottish Government on payment timetable and values, we were left with little option other than calling on Scottish Government to investigate the feasibility of part-payment of the new support system in November, as permitted under EU rules. That is a decision backed by our board of directors at their meeting at the end of last week.”
He also called for government let farmers know what the value of their entitlements would be.
“That is a legal obligation and without that crucial information, business planning becomes incredibly difficult in a year when almost every Scottish agricultural sector is under intense pressure,” added Mr Bowie.
Responding to the union’s plea, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The payment window is from December 1 to June 30 and in previous years we have had a tremendous record in beginning payments at the start of the payment window.
“However, under the new Cap, which is radically different to the former policy and also requires new systems, we already face a herculean task in beginning payments before the end of the year.
“We recognise the cash flow issues facing the industry but we are now being asked to begin payments even earlier than previous years. It is also our understanding that as things stand no UK administration is able to begin payments prior to December.
“2015 was always going to be a challenging year with the biggest Cap reform in a generation to be implemented. The Scottish Government is working flat out to be able to begin making basic payments by the end of the year.”
Last week Scots MEP Ian Duncan sent a letter to farm minister Richard Lochhead calling on him to make partial payments early.
In the letter the Conservative politician said: “You have the money in your bank account. It’s time to get the money into the hands of farmers.”