DEFRA must be more ambitious on rural payments agency targets

Commenting today on a written ministerial statement by Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, about the forthcoming targets for the Rural Payments Agency, Roger Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson, has called on DEFRA to be more ambitious with their targets for Single Farm Payments.

Mr Williams said:

"This year, as with last year, DEFRA aim to have paid 75% of claims by 31st January 2010.

"In Wales in 2008/09 over 75% of claims were made by the end of the first week.

"It is incredible that the Department will take so long to pay these claims and that 25% of farmers may still not have received their payment by February 2010.

"It is also amazing that the RPA cannot improve on last year’s target.

"In the current economic climate and following the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain, you would hope that DEFRA would improve their targets and ensure that agricultural business, and the rural communities that are often dependent on them for employment, are not left waiting so long for their payments.

"Long delays could be fatal to the future of many agricultural businesses."