NFU president Peter Kendall has warned the government that it may be lagging yet again with SPS payments.
Kendall met with sustainable farming and food minister Lord Rooker last week, to highlight members’ concerns on a wide range of issues.
The Single Payment Scheme was again top of the agenda, with Kendall pointing out things at the Rural Payments Agency did not seem to be getting any better.
“We’re getting very near to the point where 2006 payments could start to fall behind what was paid out at this time last year. This, together with the fact that three scheme years will soon be in the mix, leaves me with serious doubts about whether we will ever reach real stability.
“By that I mean everyone knowing their allocation is correct and receiving payment early in the payment window”, he said.
Two issues of key interest to the horticulture sector were also discussed - the restrictive approach to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme being taken by the Home Office and the recent broad-brush clampdown on polytunnels by Herefordshire County Council. Here, Kendall urged the minister to push for a joined up approach across government to get the issues sorted out.
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