“Do the right thing” over farm payment delays, says NFU
The NFU is calling on ministers to “do the right thing” after problems rolling out new farm payment schemes left farmers facing a bleak end to 2023.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) should have been up and running to deliver payments by December, but critical delays in the roll-out of the new scheme mean most farmers are unable to access it.
The NFU said, crucially, this coincides with major reductions in payments under the old scheme which SFI was meant to replace, leaving farmers facing a double whammy in the run-up to Christmas.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “We now know that farmers will not be paid this year, despite assurances that they would be.
“With farm input costs through the roof and interest rates soaring, this leaves farmers in a perilous place. The old scheme goes, the new one’s not ready, and farm businesses are caught in the middle. That’s not fair and we are calling on ministers to recognise that and make it right.”
Mrs Batters added: “It’s Back British Farming Day next week; a celebration of farming and growing, of great food, of our countryside and of people who make a huge contribution to the UK economy. It would be great if government could have some good news on this for farmers then.”
The NFU is calling on ministers to halt any further reduction in existing farm payments – due to fall by another £720 million this year alone – until delivery problems with SFI are resolved.
Mrs Batters said: “All we’re asking for is government to bridge the gap it has created by taking away one set of payments, but not delivering access to their replacements on time.”
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “We understand the challenges that farmers face and always listen to their concerns.
"The improvements that we’ve made to our farming schemes over the last 12 months – with increased payment rates and greater flexibility – are evidence of that.
“The Sustainable Farming Incentive has already received thousands of expressions of interest from farmers over the last week ahead of applications starting from September 18, and we are actively considering how we respond to the issues raised by the NFU.”
