NFU Scotland has formally requested that the Scottish Government consider urgently required changes to the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS).

The scheme, worth around £6m, is designed to assist active hill farmers and crofters through a payment coupled to the number of ewe hoggs they keep as breeding replacements for their flocks.

Now into its third year, the Scheme continues to cause difficulties for those most reliant on these payments as a major part of their direct support payments.

NFUS believe that the changes proposed will make SUSSS more effective in meeting its policy goals without compromising important requirements such as eligibility, inspection and validation. More importantly, these changes would be budget neutral, but would make the Scheme more effective.

The first amendment proposed by the Union is to alter the SUSSS application period, currently 1 September to 16 October, to the increased period of 1 September to 30 November with the start of a new retention period from 1 December to 31 March.

To improve the effectiveness of ewe hogg payments being targeted at those most reliant on these payments, the Union also proposes that the number of eligible ewe hoggs that can be claimed on should be no more than a fixed proportion (20 - 25 per cent) of the ewes and gimmers of the regular breeding flock of the claimant.

NFUS President Andrew McCornick said: "The application period is evidently too short for many hill farmers and crofters. Some not able to access hill ground until after the application period (16 October) due to the terms of their lease that prevent them from gathering eligible animals until after 20 October (the end of the stag stalking season). And many simply cannot gather all their eligible animals in such a narrow time frame."

Market round-up

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 2153 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £113 per head and 243p per kg to average 197.2p (-6.8p on the week).

Another large show of 4733 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £166 for a Texel and average £81.90 (+53p), while light ewes peaked at £77 for Kerry Hills and levelled at £41.03 (-£4.43). Rams sold to £168 for a Texel and averaged £91.63.