William Hague hears of problems caused by MTR delays

Mr Hague met a delegation from the area at the NFU offices in Northallerton last Friday and heard first-hand how lack of information about the future form of farm subsidies was causing extra problems.

Five local farmers, representing the cereals, livestock and milk sectors, joined NFU food and farming adviser Louise Cole for the session on the various options for reform.

Mr Hague said later that the meeting had been very useful.

"We covered the main issues on CAP which could have a major impact on North Yorkshire," he said. "There are big uncertainties about decisions which are behind schedule, so there is a long way to go.

"The formula for subsidies and payments in the future is at the heart of this and I have assured farmers that I will take up this issue and encourage the Government to make the right decisions."

Mr Hague, the MP for Richmond, said that, in his view, the right decision would be to implement reforms in a way which was fair to British farmers, which involved less bureaucracy and which gave some return for the farmer.

"If that is achieved we will have taken a step forward," he said.

Mr Hague said farmers wanted to have the payments made on the basis of past or historic arrangements and were worried that the Government was not sure what to do.

"I explained that I have not been impressed by Defra as a new Government department to replace Maff," he said. "Agriculture has been submerged and it is now harder for MPs to address concerns. The NFU is putting its views to ministers and so am I."

Mr Hague said that, if things went wrong, the area would be at more of a disadvantage with regard to competition from abroad, and from Wales and Scotland.

"Given the marginal state of North Yorkshire farming, it would have a very serious impact on an industry which has already been hit hard," he said. "It is crucial to get this right.

"The Government says there will be an increase in farm incomes in the UK. They must forgive us for being somewhat sceptical about this. We must be very vigilant indeed on this whole issue."

At the meeting were farmers David Hugill and John Seymour from Stokesley; David Greenwood from Richmond; Martin Webster from Bedale, and Robin Johnson from Northallerton.

Mr Hugill, NFU North Riding and Durham County branch vice-chairman, said he had instigated the meeting as farmers had already been urged to contact MPs on the issue.

"It is so complex it is hard for some farmers to contain all their doubts in a letter," he said, "so we are here to start putting forward our thinking on behalf of the farmers.

"The main thing we are concerned about is the way in which these payments will be made."

Mr Hugill said there had been mention of a hybrid route combining the two systems of payments - historic or regional bases. "Most farmers do not want this," he said.

"The other complaint is that foot-and-mouth had a major effect on farms in the basic years and we want to ensure a proper appeals procedure is in place."

Mr Hugill said farmers were more frustrated than worried, as the uncertainty started in 2002. "It is hard to formulate business plans or make other decisions not knowing what is ahead. It needs sorting out," he said.

"Mr Hague was sympathetic but, as he said, he is a backbencher and limited in what he can do but he will raise questions in the Commons and that is all we can ask of him."

The outcome of the CAP issue should be known by now, but it could be as far ahead as August before the decisions are made.

Louise Cole agreed the meeting went well. "It is good that William Hague sought views from those in his constituency and is taking an active role in CAP reform," she said.

"There is a great deal of frustration at the moment. Farmers want to know what the payment is going to be and what is going to happen. The decision is being delayed and this is creating more and more anxiety. They want to move forward."