Farm Payment Fiasco returns to haunt North East Farmers says CLA

The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is again receiving pleas for assistance from desperate Members facing a cash flow crisis owing to delays in receiving their Single Farm Payments for work already completed.

After last year's debacle, which left many farmers on the verge of bankruptcy, promises were made that the extent of last years late and incorrect payments would not be repeated but that is not the message the CLA's North team are getting, despite a promising start to this year's scheme.

Annabelle Morshead Morshead, who farms near Haydon Bridge, is the CLA's North East Chairman and is herself waiting for payment. She says:

"I find it completely unacceptable that we are going through this again. We are expected to complete our forms for next year's Single Payment Scheme yet many farmers don't know how much or when they will be receiving payment for the last year.

"The CLA has been involved in this throughout and I can say that whilst we have delivered our end with prompt and accurate paperwork - and lots of it. Now , to add to their catalogue of excuses, the RPA have told us that changes to the Moorland line are holding up 2007 payments. This is causing huge problems, coming on the back of an appalling spring, rising prices and the aftermath of draconian foot and mouth restrictions.,

The perception that all's well in the farming world could not be more wrong. We will be meeting with Defra next week to hammer this message home, and to hopefully get some fast results. "