2017 farm payment scheme opens but farmers still waiting for cash

The 2017 Basic Payment Scheme has opened today, but South Lakes MP Tim Farron has pointed out the plight of those farmers still waiting for payments from the 2016 and even 2015 schemes.

Tim has taken up the cases of many local farmers facing late payments from 2015 and 2016, to put pressure on the Rural Payments Agency to sort out all outstanding issues and get cash to farmers. He is still dealing with a number of cases. The 2017 Basic Payment Scheme has opened to applications today, and closes at midnight on 15 May 2017.

Tim said: "The 2017 farm payment scheme was launched today, along with a cheery video setting out the process. But things are less rosy for those farmers who are still waiting for their payments from 2016 and even from 2015, and are struggling to make ends meet. It is a disgrace that farmers are still waiting for cash they have been owed for so long. The RPA must urgently sort out all outstanding payments, and make sure next year's system gets payments out on time."