2010 press releases

17th Mar: Norman Baker slams government's rural incompetence as taxpayers are left £90 million out of pocket

Lewes MP Norman Baker has slammed the government for wasting taxpayers' money and failing to properly support Sussex farmers, after it was revealed today that the Rural Payments Agency's failure to meet deadlines on farm payments has resulted in a £15 million fine being imposed upon the UK.

The Rural Payments Agency's failure to make payments on time between October 2007 and October 2008, which resulted in hundreds of farmers in Sussex receiving their payments late, has led to a £12.5 million fine, which taxpayers will have to meet, while a further £3.1 million fine was handed down for weaknesses in running the rural development scheme.

The repayment is the third one the UK government has had to pay over the RPA's handling of the single farm payment system, having faced a £75 million fine for late payments in 2008. This means that in total, British taxpayers have been left with a £90 million bill to meet fines for late payments.

Lib Dem MP Norman Baker commented:

"It is clear that the government simply does not know how to properly support our farmers. Many hard-working Sussex farmers have suffered greatly due to the government's inability to issue farm payments on time, which is unacceptable.

"It is appalling that the chaotic handling of the Rural Payments Agency has now cost the British taxpayer £90m in fines to the EU. This is nothing more than money down the drain.

"Farmers are entitled to expect that their payments will be made efficiently and on time. We need a simpler and more cost-effective system which will ensure that our farmers get the support they deserve."

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