Fast response needed from form-fillers

Published on 07/05/2009 20:22

PAPERWORK may be the curse of small businesses, but getting it right is probably more important for farmers than any other sector: over £450 million each year is available, but the cost of getting the fine detail incorrect can be devastating.

NFU Scotland yesterday issued a reminder to the 20,000 potential applicants for the all-embracing single farm payment (SFP) that time is running out and that forms must be returned at the very latest by 15 May.

This deadline covers not just the SFP, but also hill farming grants and a range of environmental schemes. Failure to meet the deadline will result in an initial penalty of 1 per cent per day and forms submitted after 9 June will result in loss of all support.

But there is a dilemma facing many farmers regarding whether they should opt to be paid in sterling or euros. The rate of exchange is fixed on one date – 30 September. Those who made the euro option last year gained at least 20 per cent over what they might have anticipated to be paid in sterling.