Welcome for RPA’s action on payments

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has been the subject of much criticism since its inception for making late and incorrect payments, but 2013 figures indicate improvements.

Overall, the RPA has paid 98.4 per cent of Single Payment Scheme (SPS) custo-mers and 97.2 per cent of the estimated fund value by February 19.

Across Yorkshire there are more than 10,000 SPS applicants and as of March 1, the RPA had paid 98.6 per cent of them.

RPA chief executive, Mark Grimshaw, said the results were good news for English farmers and producers, with the overwhelming majority receiving vital funds in record time.

“We continue to concentrate our efforts on paying the 1,500 customers whose claims need further work before payment can be made.”

NFU senior SPS adviser Richard Words-worth said the NFU was encouraged by the continuing improved performance, and by the concentration of efforts on any remaining outstanding claims.

He said: “Our concern is always for those members that are not paid in the first few days of the seven-month payment window. The uncertainty caused by delayed payments on people and their businesses cannot be underestimated, especially after the difficult year the industry has endured.

“We look forward to more challenging targets being set and achieved. This will help the industry at a time when the full effects of the current weather patterns have not yet been felt.”