Farmers and crofters can expect to begin receiving their 2018 CAP Basic and Greening loan payments within the coming days, with the total payments worth more than £241m.

A total of 10,684 farmers and crofters are set to receive payments as part of the national loan scheme.

Announcing the scheme, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This money will provide a cash injection worth £241 million into the rural economy, directly helping those feeling the effects of increased feed and fodder prices, and the adverse weather experienced by many across the year.

“I would encourage anyone who has yet to accept a loan offer to consider it carefully and respond as quickly as possible. For those farmers and crofters yet to receive a loan offer, I would like to put their minds at ease that offers are still being made once eligibility checks have been completed.”

Mr Ewing said he is confident that the majority of all eligible claimants will have received an offer by no later than 31 October and will be able to claim payments shortly after accepting the loan offer.