In a meeting today the NFU put forward a series of questions that members are seeking clarity on.
This included a new focus on agri-environment, which will be added to the NFU’s FAQs from members.
NFU Vice President, Guy Smith, said: “There is still much to be done and areas that need to be bottomed out; such as how exactly the pre-populated forms will work in practice; and to how those farmers with simpler claims * who were fast-tracked through the system will be affected.
“For the latter, we need to ensure there is an efficient way of contacting them so they do not miss out on vital information. Some of these may have used email addresses that they access infrequently and to merely rely on email communications is not acceptable.”
The news comes as Mark Grimshaw, Chief Executive of the Rural Payments Agency and Defra Minister Elizabeth Truss, appeared before the EFRA Select Committee on the subject of CAP payments to farmers.
The Secretary of State confirmed that many countries were having similar problems due to the complex nature of the CAP agreement, and that while they hadn’t asked for an extension they supported the decision.
She added that the system they are using should lower the risk of fines for non-compliance but urged all farmers to submit applications early; Defra are still confident that they will make the deadline.
Mr Grimshaw confirmed there had been a problem with a software update that was supposed to speed up the system, and he said that was the reason why they made the decision to move to paper maps.
He added that farmers should ensure the RPA has an up-to-date email address as most communication will now be sent via email.
The NFU is set to next week meet again with senior RPA officials.
We continue to urge everyone to work with May 15 in mind until our questions and concerns have been addressed.
NFU Senior Adviser on the new Basic Payment Scheme, Richard Wordsworth, has updated his blog with his top five BPS tips that farmers can work on now.
For the latest news, member information and updates on BPS go to the BPS channel on NFUOnline.
*This could include all grassland, organic or small farmers – those without an EFA requirement.