The desperate financial situation the majority of cross-border farmers are in as a result of not having their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Payment yet has been discussed with farm leaders.
NFU Cymru’s President today met with Rural Payments Agency England’s Chief Executive, Mark Grimshaw, to explain the desperate situation.
Stephen James, NFU Cymru President, said: "We have told Mr Grimshaw today that Welsh farmers are suffering as a result of the lack of communication between the payment agency in England and its Welsh counterpart, Rural Payments Wales (RPW).
"Farmers are entering the critical period of the 2016 Single Application form (SAF) completion with many not knowing what has happened with their 2015 application.
"Farmers need to know that the information they submitted 12 months ago ahead of the 2015 deadline has been validated prior to completing their 2016 application form, which needs to be completed ahead of the fast approaching 16 May deadline.
"The Rural Payments Agency in England and RPW must act now and ensure that this situation is brought to a conclusion, that farmers are given the information they require to complete their 2016 application and we hope those yet to receive their BPS payment are paid without further delay."
Mark Grimshaw, in his address to NFU Council today, explained that the cross border payments are proving complex and gave assurances on behalf of the Rural Payments Agency in England that they will work to improve communications with the RPW in the next BPS application year.
