South Down MP Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has raised concerns regarding farmers at risk being marginalised unless adequate resources such as broadband and clear guidelines about the new online CAP application system are not made readily available.
Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber in a debate on CAP Implementation, Ms Ritchie a member of the Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – said: “In isolated rural areas, farmers are being marginalised because of lack of proper access to broadband. The Minister should use his good offices to make representations to BT about that problem. That issue was highlighted in our rural communities report.”
Miss Ritchie further called for “proper guidance, and form filling to be available in paper form” to avoid any risk of disallowance and ensure farmers were brought up to date about the new requirements for the online CAP application system.
Miss Ritchie added: “I am conscious the ‘Digital by Default’ transition to online CAP applications must run smooth. In order to achieve this, broadband must be available to farmers in remote rural areas and paper forms must be accepted in event of there being no broadband available in an area. It is also vital that these clear guidelines are circulated in advance – in paper format – so that farmers can make the necessary preparations for the new system. It is essential that farmers have the necessary means and resources in place so that there will be no instances of disallowance. We must protect farmers from this risk and I will continue to argue on their behalf.”
Link to the Hansard transcript of the debate on the Common Agricultural Policy:
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