Two-thirds of Yorkshire farmers yet to file new payment claims

Thousands of Yorkshire farmers have just 17 days left to apply for the next round of the Basic Payment Scheme, according to new figures from the Rural Payments Agency.
A total of 3,080 applications for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme have been received from Yorkshire farmers so far, according to Rural Payments Agency figures.A total of 3,080 applications for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme have been received from Yorkshire farmers so far, according to Rural Payments Agency figures.
A total of 3,080 applications for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme have been received from Yorkshire farmers so far, according to Rural Payments Agency figures.

Nationally, nearly half of all applications for the European Union payment scheme have been submitted - but in Yorkshire, that figure is only around one-third.

A total of 3,080 applications have been submitted from the region for the 2016 payment round, yet more than 10,000 applications were submitted in 2015.

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Mark Grimshaw, the RPA’s chief executive, said: “With just over two weeks to go until the 2016 deadline, we are urging farmers who have not yet started or submitted their application for this year’s BPS not to leave it to the last minute.

“The Rural Payments service is working and help is at hand for any farmer applying who wants it.

“Meanwhile, we are making good progress with 2015 bridging payments and are on track to pay all the remainder by the end of the week.”

Thousands of farmers have suffered significant hardship as they have been made to wait months for their 2015 payments - despite the payment window opening nearly five months ago - much later than in recent years because of the disruption to applications caused by IT failures at the RPA.

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Having previously ruled out making part-payments to the farmers left waiting, the agency last week announced that those farmers would receive ‘bridging payments’ in recognition of the cash flow pressures they are facing - and all such payments would be paid by today, the RPA said.

Industry leaders this week highlighted how financial hardship cases are mounting, and so too concerns about the 2016 scheme.

The National Farmers’ Union and the Country Land and Business Association has written to Environment Minister Elizabeth Truss about the situation. In their letter, they call on Miss Truss to urgently take a public and proactive role in leading the response to criticisms of the 2015 scheme, and the consequences for 2016.

NFU vice-president Guy Smith said: “We need the Secretary of State to now show firm leadership on this issue and give some much needed guarantees to our members.”

The deadline for BPS 2016 applications is May 16. Farmers can however make changes to their already submitted claim until May 31 without incurring any penalties.