RPA sets final beef check date

THE SIXTH and final check date for the 2004 extensification payment scheme covering November and December has been set as Dec 2 by the Rural Payment Agency.

Farmers in all UK regions will soon receive a letter from the agency, asking them to declare the number of cattle over six months that they held on the last three check dates.

If figures for the first three check dates of the year have not yet been submitted, farmers must include them on the return as well.

The letter should arrive by the end of January, and farmers are urged to contact the RPA if they have received nothing by then.

If figures for the six dates in 2004 are not returned by the end of February, the agency warns that claims will be rejected, and payments refused.