NFU disappointed over ELS/ HLS payment delays

ELS /HLS payments are expected to be late this autumn. The first agri-environment payments this year should be in October with the majority in November and December.

Last year 65% of payments were made in August, with payments completed by November.

In their statement Natural England said: "Following the European Commission’s decision to give all Member States extra time for farmers to submit their claims in the first year of the new CAP, advance payments for Environmental Stewardship agreements are expected to start to be paid from October, and the majority by November and December.

"RPA and Natural England are working to ensure that agri-environment payments, under Environmental Stewardship agreements, are made as early as they can be."

Payments cannot be made until the cross check with BPS data has been completed. This is a requirement of the EU regulations. To do otherwise would incur financial penalties on Government.

The extension to application dates for BPS and ES claim forms this spring has had a knock on effect delaying the cross check. This, combined with IT issues, is impacting on payment timings.

The NFU has been pressing RPA and Natural England to make payments on time this year, particularly with farmgate prices are so low. The NFU will continue to keep the pressure on for payments to be made as soon as possible.