| News
Urgent action needed on BPS delays in payments and
statements
The problem of late delivery of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and farmer statements has
still not been resolved, with the National Sheep Association (NSA) hearing of many cases
relating to sheep farmers in upland and common grazing situations.
hile the
unacceptable
situation in
Scotland has been
well documented,
sheep farmers in
England and Wales are also still
waiting for settlement almost nine
months after the deadline. Some
have not even had their statement
outlining the total amount they can
expect. NSA believes urgent action
is needed from the rural payments
agencies in all three nations to
remedy the problems caused to
farm businesses.
Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive,
says: “The types of farms affected
are those often living hand to
mouth, with struggles enough
already without the issue of
settlement payments still not being
made. This is creating real hardship
amongst farming families, some of
whom we have heard are turning to
charities to put food on the table.
“To make matters worse we are
hearing of cases where statements
have not been received indicating
W
the monies due, which means
getting support from banks or
credit from suppliers is difficult. As
the year end approaches, so too
does the time of year many
businesses will be looking at end of
year accounts and budgeting. It is
simply unacceptable for the
Government to expect them to be
able to do this without the financial
information provided by the
statements.
“The situation as it stands
simply cannot be allowed to
replicate itself next year. It is vital
the RPA steps up its game and puts
procedures and measures in place
now to ensure payments and
statements go out in timely fashion
next year.”
NSA is hearing from an
increasing number of our members
on this issue, and the situations
individuals are finding themselves
in are growing in severity.
Greg Dalton, NSA Northern
Region Chairman and sheep farmer
from County Durham, echoes the
comments about the increasing
Trade rules key to Brexit negotiations
severity of the situation. He says: “I
know Brexit has become the main
topic on people’s minds recently,
but I really feel this is something
that needs dealing with. I’ve heard
of some farmers who’ve had bailiffs
at their door demanding payments,
and I know several people who’ve
had to seek assistance from
farming charities. There are people
in this area of the country who are
struggling to keep their heads
above water, solely down to the fact
they are yet to receive a payment
which was due months ago.”
George Milne, NSA Scottish
Region Development Officer,
provides an update on the situation
north of the border. He says:
“Figures produced in mid-October
show progress has been made,
with 18,268 businesses out of
18,327 eligible to claim a BPS
payment last year having now
received it. Obviously, there are still
a proportion of businesses yet to
receive their money and the whole
process has been extremely difficult
for farmers to say the least. In terms
of this year’s payment, Scottish
Government has recently
announced a new loan scheme due
to start this month. Farmers who
sign up will receive 80% of their
BPS due during November,
although a start date for payments
is yet to be announced. My
understanding is that there are still
a significant number of farmers
eligible for this scheme who are yet
to sign up, I’d urge those
individuals to do so immediately to
avoid missing out.”
In stark contrast to those
farmers in England, Wales and
Scotland still waiting for last year's
payment, Northern Ireland
delivered the 2015 scheme on time
and NSA understands that 90% of
eligible claimants for this year's
scheme have already received 70%
of their money.
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