FARMERS and landowners are being invited to give their views on how to make the notoriously complex Single Payment Scheme easier to manage – and understand.

Ultimately, we want to see a CAP that rewards farmers for the public benefits they deliver...

Jane Kennedy - Farm Minister

The environment and food department Defra yesterday announced a three month consultation period on how to improve the single payment scheme, part of the bewildering Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

When SPS was first introduced in England, it was supposed to make life easier for farmers by slashing red tape. Instead, it caused total chaos which meant that some farm payments were two or even three years late.

Announcing the consultation scheme, farm minister Jane Kennedy admitted that the scheme was “notoriously complex” and the consultation would make claims easier, particularly on small farms.

"Ultimately, we want to see a CAP that rewards farmers for the public benefits they deliver, including looking after the environment - benefits which wouldn't otherwise be provided by the market.,” she added.

• The consultation will run for twelve weeks until 22 July. For more details, click here