NFU lobbying achieves positive signs on single farm payment

NFU LOBBYING ACHIEVES POSITIVE SIGNS ON SINGLE FARM PAYMENT

NFU President, Tim Bennett, welcomed the favourable opinion given this week to a new European Commission draft regulation on the Single Farm Payment.

This removes the risk that a change in the calculation method will cause a delay in the payment in England.

Mr Bennett said, "There is now no reason for the Rural Payments Agency not to be able to meet their timetable to begin payments in February.

"Our number one objective remains that the whole of the payment gets paid as soon as possible.

"However, we also welcome the fact that the new regulation will allow a substantial part-payment, without onerous restrictions, in the event that the RPA are not able to meet their timetable.

"Both the NFU and Defra have been lobbying hard in Brussels to achieve these changes."