The Scottish Government’s simplification group has published their seven headline recommendations to make the rules governing farming easier. The changes are hoped to be in place for the new agricultural schemes in 2021. The changes they want to see are:

Improved mapping

The group wants to see a new Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) which will improve mapping detail and make submitting updates to maps quicker and easier.

Mapping stability during Single Application Form (SAF) window

This would create a deadline for mapping changes which will prevent changes happening during the SAF window. The aim being improved stability of mapping data during the submission and processing periods for applications.

Penalties

They want the Government to make better use of guidance and warning letters for first-time errors, despite this approach contravening current CAP compliance regime in some circumstances. The group would also like the Government to look again at the proportionality of penalties.

Inspections charter

This recommendation would provide a system where farmers can check if they are complying with regulatory and scheme requirements. They believe that doing a regular self assessment could mitigate errors and potential penalties identified during formal inspections.

Capital grant rates

They want to see grant rates and specifications for standard cost items across all schemes currently available to customers be reviewed and, where possible, amended to ensure consistency.

Improve EU appeals processing performance

A recommendation to continue to improve the performance of appeals processing and increase learning from EU appeal cases to improve transparency and ensure better outcomes for farmers and staff.

Improve understanding

The taskforce recommended improvements be made to communications with farmers to raise understanding of requirements, both scheme specific and regulatory.

The group was announced at AgriScot 2018 and made up of senior department staff guided by Kirstin Williams SAC: David Lawrie, chair of SAYFC; Jonnie Hall, NFUS; Hamish Lean, agriculture solicitor; Gail Watt, agricultural solicitor; Donald McKinnon, Scottish Crofting Federation; Robert Fleming, farmer; Jennifer Struthers, SAC; Anne Rae MacDonald, farmer; Sion Williams, farm manager; Claudia Rowse, SNH; Aimee Budge, farmer; and Malcolm Morrison, forestry expert.