On Thursday 5th May, Jo Churchill MP held the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Liz Truss MP to account regarding the Basic Payment Scheme in the House of Commons. During an oral question session to the Secretary of State and Ministers of the Department, Jo Churchill MP raised her discussions with local farmers: “I would like to thank the Secretary of State for listening to my Bury St Edmunds constituency farmers around the issue of basic payments. But, in order to move forward can she reassure us of three things; these problems and issues across the piece have been heard, secondly solutions such as a dedicated phone-line are being considered and sought and as we move into the 2016 registration period, that the system really is going to be fit for purpose?” Secretary of State, Liz Truss MP responded: “I thank my Honourable Friend for her question and again I am happy to assist with any constituents who still have outstanding issues. We have paid over 90% of farmers, the payment window ends at the end of June so all full payments will be made by then. All the data is on the system now so next year will be much more straightforward. I would point out that both Wales and Scotland have paid fewer full payments than England have and that we are on track to do what we need to do by June.” Speaking after the session, Jo Churchill MP commented: “Following the breakdown of the Basic Payment Scheme online system in 2015 which caused distress and confusion amongst many farmers within my constituent, I have raised this issue with the Department, ahead of the new Basic Payment Scheme, June 2016 registration period. Just this week, I met with a group of Suffolk farmers to discuss issues affecting the industry which included the payment system. I have written directly to the Secretary of State, raising questions put to me by a farmer within my constituency. These questions get to the very heart of the problems farmers face when using the Basic Payment Scheme and the Rural Payment Agency. I am looking for answers to these questions which are comprehensive and not only acknowledge the distress it has caused many farmers across the UK but, ensure that the Department is aware that the problems of last year, must not be repeated. I will be monitoring the running and progress of the new system closely as we approach the new registration period for this year.” Jo Churchill MP puts question to the Secretary of State http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/e799ab84-e00f-4e52-9fb5-90c2cbca35…
