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10/02/2010
Farmers 'Failed' Over Diversity Scheme
Farmers who took up an invitation to join a new NI Countryside Management Scheme (NICMS), and help create more diverse, environmentally friendly farms have been let down by delays in payments.
The Department of Agriculture (DARD) is being slammed by the National Beef Association (NBA), whose representative is angry that farm businesses, which have already cut back stocking levels to fall in with other requirements, will suffer unnecessarily damaging gaps in their cash flow because the Department can't get the 'IT' behind the system for compensatory payments, which range from £60-£240 a hectare, together in time.
NI NBA Regional Chairman Oisin Murnion, pictured, said that DARD has delayed payments of Farm Woodland Premiums and the previous Countryside Management Scheme in recent years to other 'computer problems'.
"These people reduced their commercial income capacity in exchange for delivering an improved range of public goods through robust modifications to their management systems," he explained.
"They expected compensatory payments to come through before the end of January only to be told earlier this week that because DARD has still to get to grips with the payment system’s computers they will have to wait at least another month – and possibly longer.
"This is not good enough. The mechanics of delivering the money should have been in place six months ago when applications to join the scheme had already been released," he fumed.
"The NBA urges the regional Minister of Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew, to do more to speed up the delivery of these vital cheques.
"These businesses are seeing worrying holes emerge in their cash flow at the same time as regular bills continue to come through – and unless DARD quickly gets to grips with its computer system their credit ratings, and the immediate needs of their families, could be damaged," the Kilkeel farmer concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
The Department of Agriculture (DARD) is being slammed by the National Beef Association (NBA), whose representative is angry that farm businesses, which have already cut back stocking levels to fall in with other requirements, will suffer unnecessarily damaging gaps in their cash flow because the Department can't get the 'IT' behind the system for compensatory payments, which range from £60-£240 a hectare, together in time.
NI NBA Regional Chairman Oisin Murnion, pictured, said that DARD has delayed payments of Farm Woodland Premiums and the previous Countryside Management Scheme in recent years to other 'computer problems'.
"These people reduced their commercial income capacity in exchange for delivering an improved range of public goods through robust modifications to their management systems," he explained.
"They expected compensatory payments to come through before the end of January only to be told earlier this week that because DARD has still to get to grips with the payment system’s computers they will have to wait at least another month – and possibly longer.
"This is not good enough. The mechanics of delivering the money should have been in place six months ago when applications to join the scheme had already been released," he fumed.
"The NBA urges the regional Minister of Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew, to do more to speed up the delivery of these vital cheques.
"These businesses are seeing worrying holes emerge in their cash flow at the same time as regular bills continue to come through – and unless DARD quickly gets to grips with its computer system their credit ratings, and the immediate needs of their families, could be damaged," the Kilkeel farmer concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
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