The Farm Business Advice Service - Knowing Your Options, has helped 1000 farmers since its launch in October 2005. Farmers claiming the Single Payment have been using the free service to consider the implications for their business and to explore other options for change - including restructuring, diversification and co-operation.
As farmers ready themselves for the Single Payment cheque being issued in the next few weeks, many are realising that they are still not prepared and numbers of calls to the advice service are increasing day by day.
Says Farming Minister Lord Bach: "Farmers are facing a momentous change over the next couple of years following the decoupling of subsidies from production. Many of them are embracing the opportunities this creates to develop their businesses in new ways, but some need support through the changes ahead. That is why Defra has committed £7.5m to this service to help farmers focus on the options for their businesses over the next few years."
The Farm Business Advice Service will run until March 2007 and will include a number of clinics, a road show to local auction marts where a number of experienced consultants will be on hand to offer one to one advice, as well as a number of local farm visits. For further information in the meantime, please contact your regional advice line:
South East:
0845 365 1257
West Midlands: 0845 365 1256
North West:
0870 870 7380
North East:
0870 870 7381
Yorkshire and Humber:
0870 870 7382
East Midlands: 0870 870 7383
East of England:
0870 870 7384
Comments, Sandra Burger, of Farm Business First: "This new flexible service has been designed to reflect the fact that farmers' advice needs vary. We've already supported 1000 farmers and over the next 18 months we will be providing free business advice to farmers over the phone and on their doorsteps - whether that's at auctions, local farms or over the farm."