RPA exceeds 90 per cent farm payments target

The under-pressure government agency which pays European subsidies to farmers has announced that it has exceeded its target to pay 90 per cent of farmers by the end of December.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2017, 10:36 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2017, 13:01 BST
Some 91 per cent of farmers in England received their Basic Payment Scheme money in December 2016, the Rural Payments Agency has confirmed. Pic: James Hardisty.Some 91 per cent of farmers in England received their Basic Payment Scheme money in December 2016, the Rural Payments Agency has confirmed. Pic: James Hardisty.
Some 91 per cent of farmers in England received their Basic Payment Scheme money in December 2016, the Rural Payments Agency has confirmed. Pic: James Hardisty.

In an update released this morning, the Rural Payments Agency revealed that more than 78,000 farmers in England - 91 per cent - had received their 2016 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) money in December.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “I know how important these payments are to farmers and I am pleased that the RPA has surpassed its target of making 90 per cent of payments by the end of December. This is good progress but both Mark Grimshaw and I are clear that the Agency will remain fully focussed on processing claims as quickly as possible until everyone is paid.”

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And the Agency’s chief executive, Mark Grimshaw, said: “We understand how important BPS payments are to farmers and that’s why we’ve worked hard to get money into bank accounts in the first month of the payment window, injecting just over £1.4bn into the farming and wider rural economy.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said both she and RPA chief Mark Grimshaw are focussed on paying the remaining farmers as soon as possible. Picture: James Hardisty.Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said both she and RPA chief Mark Grimshaw are focussed on paying the remaining farmers as soon as possible. Picture: James Hardisty.
Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said both she and RPA chief Mark Grimshaw are focussed on paying the remaining farmers as soon as possible. Picture: James Hardisty.

“This month we will communicate directly with those farmers who will be paid from January onwards to help them plan.”

Grimshaw vows to deliver far better service for farm payments

Agency chief will have ‘feet held to the fire’ over farmers’ payments

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Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, whose South Lakeland constituency is thought to be home to around 60 farmers who graze common land, said he was relieved by the RPA’s progress but he reiterated concerns that ‘commoners’ should not be the ones made to wait for payments again after they were among those worst hit by months of delayed payments in last year’s payment round.

Common land farmers must not be left to the back of the payments queue, said Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.Common land farmers must not be left to the back of the payments queue, said Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.
Common land farmers must not be left to the back of the payments queue, said Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.

Mr Farron said: “Last year’s farm payment scheme was a disaster for many farmers, so it is a relief to see that it is working better this year and that farmers are receiving the cash they are due. These funds are vital for many local farmers here in South Lakeland.

“However, last year it was common land farmers that were left to the bottom of the pile, with many receiving their payments up to a year later than expected. This caused real hardship for many farmers. The Rural Payments Agency must ensure that common land farmers are dealt with fairly this year, and are not pushed to the back of the queue.”

Grimshaw vows to deliver far better service for farm payments

Agency chief will have ‘feet held to the fire’ over farmers’ payments

Related topics:EnglandLiberal Democrat