Re: Single Farm Payments -- a rumour

dbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ("David G. Bell") wrote in
news:20060131.0030.105911snz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

> I'm not farming. I've given up on keeping up with how DEFRA changes the
> name of things. But I heard a rumour today that whatever they call the
> new payment it isn't going to get to a lot of farmers until June.
>
>
>

What concerns me is that the payment is discretionary.

Payments will hinge on what someone with a clipboard considers does or
doesn't comply with "Good Farming Practice".

I have already encountered that one. The inspector seems unable to
differentiate between rabbit damage and erosion caused by cattle. They
(Inverness) also say that whether the ring fence is stock-proof or not does
not concern them. Edinburgh does not agree and says that security is
essential. Erosion of the banks of water courses has to be "prevented" but
it is clear they will do nothing until the banks are flattened.

I can see this being used as a tool for some idiot with a clipboard to
dispense favours and discrimination. Freemasonry, clichism, cronyism, etc.
is already rife in the Highlands and now they can have even more fun.

Derry
.