CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride welcomed an announcement from Farming Minister George Eustice on Friday, January 26, offering support to farmers who signed up to the EU’s 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) but are yet to receive their payment.

While the majority of farmers in England involved with the scheme have received their payment, the minority who haven’t received their money by the end of March will be offered a bridging payment by the UK Government of 75 per cent.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “We have made good progress towards getting payments to farmers this year with more than 93 per cent now paid and we are working hard on the final seven per cent.

"The burden of EU rules continues to be a barrier to some of the remaining processing so we will ensure that, as we did last year, any farmer not paid by the end of March will receive a bridging Payment in April.”

Mr Stride, who represents one of the most rural constituencies in England, said: “Agriculture lies at the heart of Central Devon.

"Without farming we would not have the jobs on the land, work in the processing businesses and distribution businesses or benefit from the vital work that farmers do as the stewards of the land to support Devon’s £1 billion tourist industry. This is an important and welcome announcement for affected farmers.”

The Basic Payment Scheme acts as a safety net for farmers by supplementing their main business income. To be eligible, a farmer must farm their land in a sustainable way, be in receipt of payment entitlements and deliver certain environmental benefits.

Alan Quick