Farm leaders unite on RPA mapping mess

The leaders of the NFU, CLA and TFA have met Defra minister Lord Davies and RPA chief Tony Cooper to discuss Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and mapping issues. The farming leaders issued the following statement after the meeting yesterday afternoon:

"In the wake of the disastrous introduction of the SPS in England and the sacking of the RPA’s Johnston McNeill, the NFU, CLA and TFA have sought to be as supportive as possible as the RPA and its new senior management team tried to turn things round and reach’steady state’on maps, entitlements and payments. However, over the last year it has become increasingly clear that the RPA is in deep trouble and unable to function effectively.

"The Efra Committee’s report on the 2005 SPS fiasco criticised the RPA and Defra for their tendency to put the most optimistic spin on their internal progress figures. As the Efra Committee said,"This unwillingness to be completely frank with those most interested would have serious consequences in the long term for customer relations, already tense because of the difficulties there had been with the claims process."

"Five years on and we are here again."

RPA re-mapping:

"The figures published and statements made by the RPA simply do not reflect the reports that are coming in from our members about lack of maps, incorrect data, missing fields, contradictions between inspection findings and issued maps, amendments notified correctly not showing up on re-issued maps or SP5 forms. We have raised our concerns repeatedly. Our impression is that they have largely been dismissed as an over-reaction to a few minor delivery issues. We do not believe that to be the case.

"We recognise that, at this late stage and with very little time left ahead of the May 17 SPS deadline, there is no magic bullet that the RPA can fire to put everything right and get out complete, correct maps with SP5 forms to match. Given that, we have re-iterated our calls for Defra and the RPA to do the following:-

• provide assurances that farmers will not be penalised for mistakes that are not of their doing;

• take into account all supporting information sent in with SP5 forms;

• produce some clear, stand-alone guidance about the approach the RPA will take in relation to incorrectly declared field areas;

• look urgently at deferring the SPS deadlines (17 May submission and 1 June addition of field data without penalty deadlines).

SPS 2010 payments:

"We were pleased to see that ministers have set more demanding targets for 2010 payment delivery than 2009. We acknowledge that steady progress has been made since 2006. However, in our view it is inconceivable that the late delivery and poor quality of maps sent to thousands of claimants will not have a knock-on effect when it comes to the RPA’s processing of 2010 claims.

"In view of this, we call upon Defra and the RPA to make concrete contingency plans with regards to part payments in December 2010 and to liaise with us on the detail of how they might be implemented. Farmers should not be the ones picking up the bill for the RPA’s inability to deliver and we look to ministers, current and future, to ensure that they do not."

SPS 2009 payments:

"The RPA has confirmed today that in the region of 3,000 farmers are still without their 2009 payment, almost five months after the opening of the payment window. This is completely unacceptable and the RPA’s stock line -weare working to finalise these as quickly as possible- completely dismisses the financial difficulties and distress their delay is causing. For many farmers SPS support is critical to cash flow and the viability of their businesses.

"We must see action from the RPA instead of excuses based on’entitlement correction’and’legacy’issues. Partial payments must be actively considered in every case and implemented wherever possible."

Conclusion:

"What we have said is in no way a reflection on the RPA’s frontline staff. From our members’feedback, we know that they are doing their best in difficult circumstances to answer queries and progress claims. We appreciate their efforts and thank them for their patience in dealing with frustrated and anxious farmers.

"Our concerns and criticisms are entirely reserved for senior management of the RPA and those in Defra responsible for its performance. The RPA is a failing agency with a deeply flawed delivery model. It has lost our confidence and the confidence of our members.

An urgent and honest root and branch review, backed up by a willingness to tear up the whole blueprint and start again, is vital if we are to have any chance of reaching steady state as far as delivery of SPS and Environmental Stewardship schemes are concerned."