CLA 'Busiest Ever' As Farm Deadline Approaches
20/04/05

At the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) it's a case of all hands on deck as the May 16 deadline for farmers to complete their applications for the new single farm payment approaches.

The CLA's advisers have been working flat out to help farmers come to terms with the new system, and have even taken to the road, with three seminars this week attracting almost 400 farmers, desperate to find out what they need to be doing.

Angus Collingwood-Cameron, CLA's North East Director said: "The new Single Farm Payment is a major change for British agriculture and its unsettling effects on farmers should not be underestimated. As soon as the changes were announced the phones started to ring, and they have been doing so ever since. The next four weeks look like being one of the busiest periods ever for CLA's advisers, and we are pulling out all the stops to make sure that we can give our Members the best practical advice relevant to their individual circumstances up to and beyond the May 16 deadline.

"The complexity of the new system is underlined by the wide range of questions we are being asked. There is no common thread; we are having to deal with all aspects of the new Common Agricultural Policy."

" I would advise any farmer who has not yet done so, to make sure they are familiar with the requirements of the new system, well in advance of the deadline, and if they feel they need advice, to seek it from professional advisers as soon as possible. CLA Members of course, can continue to contact us."