Rural sector demands the RPA to explain why farmers haven't received 2015 payments

Full explanation demanded into why Cumbria's commoners still haven't been paid 2015 BPS
Full explanation demanded into why Cumbria's commoners still haven't been paid 2015 BPS

The rural sector are demanding the Rural Payments Agency to explain why farmers haven’t received Basic Payment Scheme for the common land in their care.

The National Farmers’ Union, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Federation of Cumbria Commoners have said they are aware no money has been paid from the 2015 BPS pot to farmers looking after a number of commons including: Birkrigg Common; Dunnerdale Fell; Woodland Fell; Torver Commons; Mungrisedale Common; Caldbeck Common; East Stainmore Common; Hartley Common and Carrack Common.

The three organisations have also said they are aware that there are "widespread issues" in the county of Lancashire also.

They have written to the RPA to express the concerns and issues which farmers are currently facing.

They are demanding that RPA meet Cumbrian commoners in person and explain what has gone wrong.

"Debts and bills are stacking up on farm kitchen tables and this ultimately puts unneeded financial pressure on them"
"Debts and bills are stacking up on farm kitchen tables and this ultimately puts unneeded financial pressure on them"

Clitheroe based sheep farmer Thomas Binns who represents upland farmers in Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire for the NFU said it is a "disgrace" that farmers in Cumbria and Lancashire are still awaiting BPS 2015 payments for their common land .

"We are only two months away from the 2016 payment window opening," Mr Binns said.

"For the last ten months they have been anticipating a payment which so far has never materialised.

"Debts and bills are stacking up on farm kitchen tables and this ultimately puts unneeded financial pressure on them and the many allied businesses which serve these farms."

'Unnecessary extra financial pressure'

Joe Relph, Chairman of The Federation of Cumbria Commoners, said the Federation of Cumbria Commoners need an "immediate response" from the RPA as to why our members’ 2015 BPS common land payment is now months overdue.

"This delay has added unnecessary extra financial pressure on top of all the hardship people have had to face with last year’s December floods," Mr Relph said.

"It is not acceptable when commoners have honoured and abided by the rules of the 2015 BPS scheme."

NFU Cumbria County Chairman David Raine, who farms sheep in Kirkoswald near Penrith, said this is an issue that has been raised with ministers and the RPA in 2015 concerning late payment of SPS 2014 on common land.

"We suggested then that payments should be made immediately using the previous year’s data and I find myself doing exactly the same thing twelve months on," Mr Raine said.

"Clearly lessons are not being learnt and that is unforgivable."

Businesses operating on 'incredibly tight' margins

CLA Cumbria Chairman, Mark Southern, who farms near Ulverston, said it is a "completely unacceptable" situation.

"The RPA is withholding vital payments to hill farmers, whose businesses operate on incredibly tight margins," Mr Southern said.

"I see no reason why an interim payment cannot be made to help alleviate the problems being caused by the continuing delay.

"The RPA must be held accountable and step forward to offer some kind of explanation to those of us affected."

A letter from the three organisations will be sent requesting RPA to visit Cumbria so that a number of key questions are addressed.