The paperwork deadline extension under the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) is “ridiculous”, according to NSA chair John Fyall.

While farmers and crofters now have until 30 November to submit scheme forms, they still need to have all claimed sheep properly tagged by the start of the retention period on 17 October.

“The office-based side of things is not the problem. It is the actual physical work of gathering and sorting the sheep that has caused the issue this year,” said Fyall. “The weather has had a massive impact on farmers and crofters being able to complete these tasks, sending the form in is the simple part. If this can’t be changed in time we would be hoping there would be no inspection-derived penalties in the intervening period.”

As it stands, hoggs entered for the scheme must be properly tagged and recorded by 17 October.

NFUS director of policy Jonnie Hall said: “It is very important for claimants to remember that the rules of the ewe hogg scheme essentially require claimed animals to be tagged and recorded before the start of the retention period on 17 October.

“While the prolonged wet weather means workloads are still well behind, it is important to remind our hill farmers and crofters of the SUSSS rules to avoid any problems should they be subject to an official inspection.”