NFU to host series of BPS 2017 meetings with farmers

The meetings kick off in the North East on 14 February
The meetings kick off in the North East on 14 February

The NFU is putting boots on the ground with a series of meetings for farmers surrounding BPS 2017 payments.

Kicking off in the North East on 14 February, the NFU’s BPS experts will be on hand across the regions to update what is new and explain the changes, ahead of the next application window opening, in late February or early March.

The team will talk through the BPS 2017 application process and also provide members with the latest news about remaining 2015 and 2016 payments.

Guy Smith, NFU Vice President, said: “Although things are improving from a very bad start, we know that for most members the BPS experience has been less than smooth or easy.

“Our survey shows 10% still feel they have unresolved issues going back to 2015, while many more are thinking of using agents.

“Our aim with both our support and our lobbying is always to make BPS as farmer friendly as possible. I'd thoroughly recommend our roadshows as a way to boost a bit of BPS self-confidence and to hear what we've been doing as we approach the 2017 application window.”

The NFU has lobbied for its members throughout the past year on a number of key asks for farmers.