TFA calls for timely farm payments as claim deadlines extended amid virus disruption

TFA chief executive George Dunn said: “While there are some who would not have been able to make the May 15 deadline for BPS and stewardship claims give the current Covid-19 restrictions, it is disappointing that a more innovative solution was not forthcoming to keep the May 15 deadline for the vast majority, while providing specific measures for those with difficulties.

“However, now the decision has been made to move the deadlines to June, we must not see this being used as an excuse for making late payments under these schemes.

“It is essential for the cash flow of farming businesses that there is no delay to making payments.

“Many farmers are still awaiting payment of 2019 stewardship claims which must also be resolved without further delay.”

Vital

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) chief executive Paul Caldwell said he was ‘fully focused’ on making vital payments to the rural community during this difficult time.

He urged farmers and their agents to complete their applications and claims as soon as they are able to, using the Rural Payments Service in the first instance.

Last week, the NFU called on the Government to establish a BPS 2020 ‘guarantee’, which would ensure all claimants receive either their full payment or a bridging loan worth 90 per cent of the claim value by early December 2020.

The union also demanded all outstanding 2019 Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments be released by the end of April, with Treasury funding if ordinary processing will not allow payments to be issued.