Following concerns expressed by farmers from Ryedale and Hambleton about delays to their BPS payments, Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, has asked the Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to fully investigate the issue.
“Delay in payments from the RPA has distressed many farmers. They need to be able to plan their finances and many rely on this money to maintain their businesses. For many producers and growers their livelihoods are dependent on prompt payment of this essential source of income. The problems encountered with the process must be solved ready for the next round of payments or there will be a risk of damage to the agricultural industry which is so very important to our constituency.”
In response to a recent letter sent by Mr. Hollinrake to EFRA, the Chair of the Committee, Neil Parish MP, replied informing him that they had “recently published a report into the RPA’s shortcomings through this year’s payments process and issued a series of recommendations for next year’s payments.” Mr. Parish also wrote that they were planning to call the RPA to give further evidence in the Autumn and would “stress the difficulties currently being faced by farmers.”
Although pleased that the situation was being monitored, Kevin Hollinrake remains concerned about the impact on North Yorkshire farmers and is aware of their concerns regarding BREXIT and consequences for the future of their industry and exporting their produce to Europe.
“I will continue to raise the issue with my colleagues in Parliament and welcome the feedback from constituents affected by this issue. I have had meetings with representatives from the industry and individual farmers to discuss the problems. In North Yorkshire we have so many hard working farmers who produce excellent crops and rear fine livestock. Agriculture is of immeasurable importance to the economic and environmental future of our region and we must support, encourage and promote it within this country and abroad in order not just for it to survive, but to grow and prosper. I am grateful to Mr. Parish for his work on this and his correspondence. I urge anyone with any concerns to contact me so I can continue to work to benefit our farming future.”