Farron welcomes decision by Minister to consider interim payments for farmers

Farmers in South Lakeland waiting to receive their single farm payments could be given interim payments after Liberal Democrat Farming Spokesperson Tim Farron secured a potential reprieve for hundreds of farmers still left waiting for vital payments.

Speaking today in the House of Commons, Mr Farron challenged Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP to help farmers avoid bankruptcy by providing interim funding to farmers waiting to receive their overdue farm payments.

The Minister confirmed that the Government were prepared to offer short term payments to farmers in real dire circumstances, offering a potential lifeline to hundreds of farmers in South Lakeland.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

From my own local survey, I know that about 80% of farmers in South Lakeland are still waiting to receive their farm payments. For many of these farmers, the success of their business depends on them getting their farm payments effectively, efficiently and on time.

Given how tight money is at the moment, farmers simply cant afford to be left waiting for these vital payments. Im extremely concerned that without short term payments many farming business could face collapse.

Im delighted that Hilary Benn has agreed that action needs to be taken and that the Rural Payments Agency will now consider providing interim payments to farmers who are on the brink of bankruptcy. These payments must be made as a matter of urgency.