Over 85,000ha of entitlements were not activated last year, worth around €8,928,212. Figures obtained by the Farmers Journal reveal that there were over 2% more entitlements available compared with the land claimed in Scotland.

The surplus of entitlements means that eligible land areas are getting smaller for some farmers and crofters.

This could be because of ever-increasing ineligible features, like roads and hedges, that drive the claimed area down.

Furthermore, if farmland changes, such as housing developments or power lines being built through fields, then the land can no longer be claimed for.

The latest figures for new entitlements coming into the system through the national reserve show just over 7,500ha in 2017. This was worth just over £770,000 to new claimants.

Therefore, surely with so many hectares leaving the claimed area and fewer coming in through the national reserve there should be more money available for all claimants? In theory anyway.