Two-thirds of farmers have now received EU money

TWO-THIRDS of farmers who have applied for basic EU subsidy payments have now been paid, the Rural Payments Agency's chief officer said this morning.

Around 57,700 farmers have now received their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2015 payment, Mark Grimshaw said.

The update follows weekend payments to 11,300 customers, totalling £320m, the RPA said, taking the total amount paid out to farmers in England since the start of December’s payment window to £779m.

The rollout of payments has been criticised by the National Farmers’ Union, with surveys if its farmer members seemingly at odds with the figures quoted by the RPA.

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Mr Grimshaw, the agency’s chief executive, said in a statement: “We understand the importance of BPS payments for farmers and our priority has always been to pay as many farmers as quickly as possible.

“The RPA is working seven days a week to get these payments to farmers. A wide range of claim sizes have been paid to small, medium and large sized enterprises across England and in all sectors of the industry and claims will continue to be paid as they are checked and completed.”

The RPA is also urging those customers it has contacted about registration onto the Rural Payments system to do so because payments can only be made to registered farmers.

Any farmer who has yet to register, or whose bank details have changed, and wants help can call the Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301.

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