The deadline to apply to the Scottish Sheep Support Scheme (SUSS) has been extended to 30 November 2017, to allow for poor weather conditions.

The proposed extension would make the application period from 1 September to 30 November 2017. The retention period remains 17 October 2017 to 31 March 2018.

The scheme is targeted at sheep production on the poorest-quality land to help farmers maintain the social and environmental benefits that sheep flocks bring to those areas.

“Conscious of the poor weather conditions that have hampered farmers’ ability to gather flocks off the hills and draw their future breeding stock, I have decided to extend the application window,” Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing said.

“Despite this extension, I would urge all farmers who wish to do so to submit their applications online as soon as possible and not wait until the last moment,” recommended Ewing.