Single Farm Payment sham - North West NFU give evidence to National Audit Office
Mapping problems, maladministration and a computer system that is continually failing have been issues every farmer has had to contend with when trying to claim their Single Farm Payment - and now the National Audit Office (NAO) are looking into the issue.
A representative from the NAO travelled up to the North West today to meet NFU farmers and group secretaries (from Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire) at the NFU's regional office in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.
It was a chance for the NFU members and their advisers to give the NAO real examples of how, in their opinions, the system has failed, what could be done better and how mistakes that had been made were costing their farming businesses and the surrounding rural economy dearly.
NFU North West Regional Management Board Chairman and Bampton farmer, Peter Allen said after the meeting: "The NFU wanted to make sure farmers don't take any of the flak for this shambles and that the finger of blame is pointed in the direction that it ought to be. "I felt it very important to stress that the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) should not take all the wrap for this. If they were not given the correct capabilities to carry out this task effectively then those who strategically set out plans for operations like this should shoulder the blame."
Alistair Mackintosh, NFU North West Livestock Board Chairman and Ravenglass farmer, added: "Many farmers have suffered extreme hardship and I think we got that message across to the NAO representative today. "To rebuild confidence in the system the RPA should sort out an interim payment for next year and remove the Hill Farm Allowance from the Single Payment Scheme so that too is paid early in the payment window. We also asked for interest to be paid on any late payments. "By putting these suggestions forward in a constructive manner we are giving the RPA a route into our grace and favour."
All of the evidence the farmers and group secretaries gave the NAO will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Their evidence was all recorded and will be used anonymously when a report is compiled for the Government's public accounts committee.
Talking after the meeting, the NAO representative said: "Meeting North West NFU members has been extremely useful and has put some flesh on the bones of what we've been deriving from various Government documents and media reports. "There is a lot of hear say that heads our way in regards to this issue but to hear it from the actual people who are involved makes it real."
