Safeguarding your Single Payment Scheme

he Single Payment Scheme, as a source of income is vitally important for farmers in the UK. Undoubtedly, if the figures of the Farm Business Surveys in England and Wales are to be believed, without the income from the Single Payment Scheme the majority of farms would be running at a loss. It is therefore of huge concern for farmers that the Common Agricultural Policy is once again being reformed, and although proposals have been published about what the changes will be, farmers are once again facing a period of uncertainty until this reform is implemented.

The reform is due to come in to force on 1 January 2014 although there is a possibility that due to the fact that the European Parliament now plays a greater role in the decisions relating to the reforms, that the implementation date could be closer to 2015. There will inevitably be changes that will need to be made to farming structures and occupation of land agreements including licences and tenancies to accommodate and adapt to the proposed changes. In Wales, there is a current review of the dual use of land, and it is important that farmers get advice on the implications to them of changing the way that they occupy land. There is concern that there may be farmers who will inadvertently or in order to satisfy the rules placed upon them by the Welsh Government, give up the security of tenure offered by an Agricultural Holdings Act 1986  in favour of a licence which gives them no security for their future use of that land.

At Agri Advisor Solicitors, we have developed a specialised and expert service to deal with all queries that farmers may have about the Single Payment Scheme and the Common Agricultural Policy as it affects them. Our CAP Doctor service helps farmers with issues that may arise in relation to eligibility under the Schemes, issues in relation to cross compliance, inspections and non-payment or delays in payment.  CAP Doctor deals with appeals against the RPA and Welsh Government on a daily basis and Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones who heads the service has experience in dealing with complicated judicial reviews in relation to the Single Payment Scheme and agri-environment schemes.

Waiting for the Single Payment to enter in to the farm bank account is not a luxury that many farmers can afford, and sometimes some easy steps can be taken to get it released sooner rather than later to the farmer.
Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones will be at the Welsh Farm Machinery Show in Builth Wells on 15 and 16 February 2012 and if you would like to arrange a meeting with her for an informal discussion, please contact her on her mobile on 07703106811.

Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones
Agri Advisor Solicitors
01558 841550
07703 106811
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www.agriadvisor.co.uk

For more information on Agri Advisor, please visit their website.

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