Rural Payments Agency: Basic Payment Scheme

Sheryll Murray Excerpts
Tuesday 24th March 2015

(9 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Eustice Portrait George Eustice
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On the latter point, all farming unions and representatives and agricultural consultants have welcomed the steps we have taken, because they want to ensure that they can get their applications in on time. I discussed the matter with some colleagues from the devolved Administrations at the European Council last week, and I can confirm that they are all relieved that the Commission has extended the deadline.

Sheryll Murray Portrait Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)
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Can my hon. Friend reassure farmers in the remote parts of my constituency by confirming that they will get the support they need, whether on paper or through access to online services, to avoid the disaster they faced under the system introduced by the previous Government?

George Eustice Portrait George Eustice
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As my hon. Friend says, we have acted swiftly to ensure that we can send maps and paper applications to ensure that all farmers can get their applications in on time. We have a network of 50 digital support centres to help farmers with the registration process, because we still want them to register with the online system.