Single farm payments concern
11:36am Monday 12th May 2008
A LOCAL MP is concerned about the state of play for Single Farm Payments.
David Maclean, who represents Penrith and the Border, put down a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State at DEFRA, Hilary Benn, to ask him to make a statement on the number of Single Farm Payments which have been paid to date, and the number and amount outstanding for the current and last two years.
Mr Maclean said: "I have put down this PQ in response to a large number of calls I have received from constituents who are desperate for their Single Farm Payment.
"I have cases of farmers paying in excess of £100 a day in bank charges because the Government cannot organise itself to make the payments it owes.
"The situation is reaching breaking point and many farmers are very much on the verge of leaving the industry.
"The NFU are receiving the same calls and even though the RPA have assured us that there has been no freeze on SFP there can be no doubt that payments have slowed down dramatically.
"If any farmer would like me to raise their specific case both with DEFRA and the RPA please send all your details to me at david@davidmaclean.com."