Rain prompts plea for early aid
UNION LEADERS are urging DEFRA to bring forward area aid payments as the heaviest August rainfall for nearly 50 years has left crops across Britain battered and uncut.
Up to Wed (Aug 25) England and Wales had received 135.9mm (5.3in) of rain, a figure that is 77% above the average for the month and beats all records set for nearly half a century.
The UK as a whole has received 53% more rainfall than normal, with the east of England reporting that August and July were their wettest months since records began.
Most areas of the country, particularly the north of England, have been forced to write off much of this year‘s crop at a huge financial loss.
The situation is leaving many contemplating the future of their business and in need of financial assistance.
Peter Kendall, deputy president of the NFU, said that DEFRA could bring forward arable area payments to ease cash flow concerns.
“There is scope for some movement here. Germany made some early payments to farmers in similar circumstances in 2002,” said Mr Kendall.
To qualify, it will have to be shown that farmers in a particular region have suffered a reduction in their gross production of at least 20% in the less favoured areas, and 30% in all other areas, compared with the average output during the previous three years.
“The onus will be on the UK government to make an application,” explained Dave Hemingway, deputy director of the NFU‘s Brussels office.
“This will not be a quick process as they will have to wait until after harvest to make a full assessment of the actual loss incurred.
“But if an application is made, Brussels has a good record of treating such claims sympathetically,” added Mr Hemingway.
But a DEFRA spokesman said: “We are monitoring the situation closely and while we understand the situation many farmers are in, it is too early to make those decisions.”
Yet despite the poor conditions reducing quality across the board, those with good milling crops in store are being urged to play the market wisely.
A good harvest in the Ukraine has knocked UK prices further and, with most of Europe enjoying a good harvest, UK prices look set to remain low.
“It has already been reported to us that German A grade wheat has been imported into the north of England to counter the suspected poor harvest expected there.
“Most of the French harvest was in the shed before the rains came and the Germans have had a pretty good one too,” said Rupert Somerscales, economist at the HGCA.