The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has expressed “deep concern” that confidence in agri-environment schemes amongst tenant farmers in England is falling due to poor administration.
The schemes are run by Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
‘Under strain’
TFA chief executive George Dunn said: “There have been many different types of agri-environment scheme since they were first launched in England just over 30 years ago.
“They have always been well supported by the farming community, which has welcomed working in partnership with the Government to deliver outcomes for landscape and biodiversity.
“However, that partnership is now been placed under tremendous strain due to the shambolic way that Natural England and the RPA are administering schemes currently”.
Dunn explained that around 14,000 historic Environmental Stewardship payments remaining outstanding and around 8,000 Countryside Stewardship payments for 2018 are awaiting processing.
He said that as a result, many farmers are now losing patience.
“People are trying to run businesses and are working to tight budgets and cash flows,” he said.
It is particularly galling when Defra talks about the need for farmers to enhance their productivity when its own agencies are unable to fulfil contractual requirements for payments.
“It is especially important for tenant farmers to be paid on time, given the absolute requirement upon them to make regular rent payments to their landlords.”
Emails
Some TFA members have said they have received emails from the RPA apologising for the length of time it is taking to complete payments.
The emails stress that the delays do not indicate there is anything wrong with their claims, but that the agency needs more time to complete its checks before payments can be made.
The emails add that there is no indication as to when the payments will be made.
“It is alarming that farmers who have kept their side of the bargain to deliver the management requirements of these schemes are now out of pocket.
“No wonder our members are frustrated with the Government as its inability to manage resources has led to this failure to deliver its side of the bargain,” said Dunn.
“The Government will have to conduct a major exercise to restore confidence in agri-environment schemes – particularly as we move to into the ‘public payments for public goods’ policy.
“This must start with getting money out the door in return for work done in accordance with contractual commitments,” added Dunn.
