APHA has identified an issue through an internal audit relating to TB compensation payments.
Following a policy change, some payments were incorrectly made at 100% rather than the required 50% reduction for animals moved onto holdings during a TB breakdown.
Serious distress
The NFU does not support the recovery of these funds and has told APHA plainly that it will cause serious distress across the industry, whether or not members are directly affected.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: "The NFU does not support the recovery of these funds, and we have made it clear to the APHA that this will cause serious distress across the industry, whether members are directly affected or not.
"The dairy and livestock sectors are already under significant financial pressure, and this unexpected demand for repayment will place an additional and unnecessary burden on farmers. It should not be happening."
What affected members should do
Call NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 for free initial advice.
The CallFirst can refer you to Birketts LLP, one of the NFU's legal panel firms, for detailed independent legal advice. LAS subscribers can apply to the scheme to check eligibility for funding support.
Support organisations including the FCN (Call: 03000 111 999 – 07:00 – 23:00, 365 days of the year) and RABI (Call: 0800 188 4444 – 24/7 support line) have also been briefed on this issue and can offer support to affected farmers.
"The dairy and livestock sectors are already under significant financial pressure, and this unexpected demand for repayment will place an additional and unnecessary burden on farmers. It should not be happening."
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins
