Welsh Assembly urged to link with RPA over single farm payment claims

Farming unions are urging the Welsh Assembly to establish a protocol with the Rural Payments Agency for dealing with cross-border single farm payment claims.

They will use the next stakeholders meeting with assembly officials to highlight the plight of dozens of members who have not received any or only part of the money claimed.

“There have been a lot of problems that have left some members with horrendous financial difficulties,” said Mary James, deputy director of NFU Cymru.

“A very significant number have not received their full 2005 claim payments and we do not want a repeat of this mess next year.”
Richard Wordsworth, the NFU’s single payment scheme adviser handling cross-border cases, said it was impossible to estimate the number of farmers involved in all four home countries.

“What has happened in Wales is also true of land links between England and Scotland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, or England, or Wales. The issues are so complex it is likely some farmers will not be paid by the time the next payment opens in December.”

Arwyn Owen, policy director of the Farmers Union of Wales, claimed dealing with cross-border problems was taking up a huge amount of time at both headquarters and county level.

“We are pressing for written confirmation that there are enough resources to ensure that 2006 payments are made as soon as the payment window opens,” said Mr Owen.