NI farmers battle with SFP forms

ONE IN five of the single farm payment claims submitted so far by Northern Ireland‘s farmers have had to be returned to claimants because of errors.

The Department for Agriculture and Rural Development has said that in the region of 600 application forms have been sent in to date.

But about 20% of the claims received to date have had queries in regard to inconsistencies or incomplete information.

“We will be writing to the individual farmers concerned to resolve these queries,” said a statement.

The close date for applications is 16 May 2005. Claims received after that date will incur a late application penalty. Claims received after 10 June will not be accepted.