Approval Needed To Amend Single Payment Decision
UK - Farmers who graze livestock on common land are awaiting Ministerial approval of a change to the rules that will enable many to claim Single Payments currently denied to them.
27 July 2007
1 minute read
Defra officials appear willing to amend the controversial decision to use the 1965 commons register to determine who is eligible for payments on commonland. However, the change cannot be made until Ministerial approval is given.
Organisations representing commons graziers and mainstream farm bodies want the rule changed so tenants not on the register but have commons grazing rights under a farm tenancy agreement can claim Single Payments on that land.
According to Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn, Defra indicated in a recent stakeholder meeting that they recognised the flaws and the need for change.
“We have made significant progress in discussions with officials who appear to understand the problem but ultimately it will be up to Ministers to make any changes,” Mr Dunn said.
