Payment shortfall

1 March 2002

Payment shortfall

TWO Northumberland farmers have each spotted shortfalls in their IACS payments of £5000.

The farmers, who have asked not to be named, want to alert others in case the problem is more widespread.

The discrepancy first came to the notice of one farmer when his books were being checked by his accountant. He told another member of the family who then checked his payment only to find that his IACS claim had been underpaid by a similar amount.

DEFRA were contacted by farmers weekly but declined to comment. &#42