The NFU in the North-East is to hold a series of essential briefings for farmers across the region to update them on the latest developments affecting the application process for the new Basic Payment Scheme.

Sessions will be held to give NFU members the chance to hear first-hand from Keith Wellings, Common Agricultural Policy Guidance Lead with the Rural Payments Agency.

Mr Wellings will be able to provide the latest information on what farmers need to do following the RPA’s decision to abandon the online-only application process.

NFU regional director Richard Pearson said that although in the main farmers welcomed the decision, the move has left most of them unsure of what they need to do next.

He said: “We are working round the clock to get this information out to members and push the Government and RPA to resolve outstanding issues – but I think it’s fair to say we still have some significant concerns about how this is going to play out."

“Other welcome news announced by George Eustice in the House of Commons confirmed that farmers who managed to access the online mapping functions successfully will not have to repeat the process on paper.

"However, members tell us that the system has lost inputted information during its repeated ‘down’ periods, so we are seeking urgent clarification on that and a number of other outstanding issues."

The two-hour sessions will be held as follows: On Monday (March 30), 7.30pm at Askham Bryan College, York YO23 3FR; on Tuesday, 9.30am 2pm at Danby Village Hall, Whitby YO21 2LY; and 7.30pm at Tennants’ Auction Centre, Leyburn DL8 5SG; on Wednesday, 9am at Allerton Court Hotel, Northallerton DL6 2XF; and 2pm at Jersey Farm Hotel, Barnard Castle DL12 8TA.

The meetings are open to all NFU members. To book, ring Louise Knight on 01904 451550.