Farmers urged to apply for hill farm allowance

Yorkshire hill farmers wanting to claim Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) are being reminded by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) to return their declarations by next Tuesday (February 13) or miss out on funding.

According to latest figures from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), there are still more than 1,130 farmers throughout the country - the majority of which claimed HFA in 2006 - who have not returned their declarations.

CLA regional adviser, Jane Harrison, said: "There was some uncertainty last year over whether or not HFA would continue, which is why we are keen to remind farmers that it is still available.

"However, applicants need to sign up to the rules in a declaration as soon as possible. Claims made between now and February 13 will incur a late penalty payment but anything after that date will not be considered at all."

In December the RPA sent out the HFA declarations and booklets to 11,571 prospective claimants and has received around 10,500 responses from farmers. The RPA's analysis of those who have not returned declarations show that most of them are regular HFA claimants who claimed HFA in 2006.

Further information may be obtained from the RPA's website www.rpa.gov.uk or by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.