Surgeries for farmers battling with CAP changes

West Midlands farmers confused about some of the biggest changes to affect the agricultural industry in decades are being given the chance to attend surgeries with NFU advisers to help clear the air.

The introduction of a new system of support payments that are no longer linked to food production is part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

But the technical details of how the new Single Payment Scheme will work has caused confusion in terms of what it will mean for individual farm businesses as farmers get to grips with the changes.

NFU West Midlands' food and farming team Andrew Richards and Charlie Morton are holding a surgery in each of the region's five counties to help explain the changes.

Farmers can book a 45 minute appointment with either Mr Richards or Miss Morton by calling Ruth Wall or Suzanne Carey at the NFU West Midlands regional office in Telford on 01952 400500.

"We have already held an intensive series of roadshows for farmers to ask questions about the reform of the CAP and now we are giving individual producers the chance to ask questions specific to their business," explained Mr Richards.

"The changes are set to revolutionise the way the agricultural industry works and it is important that farmers understand the implications and the opportunities that are available to them."

The first surgery takes place on February 8 at the NFU's Agriculture House in Hereford. This is followed by a surgery at the NFU offices at the National Agricultural Centre at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on February 11.

The Staffordshire surgery is in the Boden Room at the Staffordshire County Showground on February 16 and is followed by a surgery at the Young Farmers' Centre at Hawford, near Worcester on February 18.

The final regional surgery is at the NFU regional office in Telford on February 28.