Farmers' patience running out over payments
With significant numbers of Basic Payment Scheme and agri-environment payments still outstanding, NFU Cymru warns the Welsh Government that patience is wearing extremely thin among the farming community, writes Stephen Kenyon.
Nearly five months into the payment window I am extremely concerned that hundreds of farmers across Wales have yet to receive their BPS part payment. This is unacceptable, especially when you consider that Welsh Government made the decision last year to introduce part payments in an effort to ensure timely delivery of the new Basic Payment Scheme.
I am particularly concerned for our cross-border farmers who have not yet been paid as a result of the failure of the paying agencies in England and Wales to effectively share data.
Farmers are struggling following a difficult winter, costs have mounted as a result of record rainfall and commodity prices remain depressed, meaning cash flow is a major issue on all farms. While we praised the Welsh Government for making an excellent start with BPS payments last December, the weekly trickle of payments we have seen so far in 2016 has been disappointing.
Farmers are entering the critical period of 2016 BPS form completion with many not knowing what has happened with their 2015 application. For those not paid, the Welsh Government will now have had the 2015 application form for nearly 11 months. Surely this is long enough to validate an application form.
The Welsh Government must act now and ensure that this situation is brought to a conclusion and we hope those yet to receive their BPS are paid immediately and that balance payments to all are made promptly in April. On a more positive note we are on the look out for candidates to enter NFU Cymru's Welsh Rural Community Champion Award. This award, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by the Principality Building Society.
Applications are invited from throughout Wales, from those farmers who use what little spare time they have away from the farm in helping their local community thrive.
Potential winners could be involved in all sorts of things which play an important part in making a thriving rural community. The closing date for entries is April 11. Anyone interested in entering can email sarah.jones@nfu.org.uk or call (01982) 554200.
*By Stephen Kenyon, senior agent, NFU Welshpool
