The compulsory online registration system was revealed earlier this year as part of the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) which replaces the current Single Payment Scheme in January 2015.
Fears were raised that many Shropshire farmers who have no experience of the internet, or those living in rural areas without access to broadband, would struggle to meet the requirements.
And Angela Cantrill, senior surveyor at Madeleys Chartered Surveyors in Much Wenlock, said time is now running out for farmers wishing to meet DEFRA deadlines.
“DEFRA is calling on farmers not to leave it until the last minute as they want everyone to register by mid February,” said Mrs Cantrill.
“But at least 10 to 15 per cent of my clients won’t have the correct ID required by the system which means we would have to apply for that identification and, especially in the case of a passport, this will take a significant amount of time.”
There are a number of support systems in place to help farmers who struggle, including Digital Support Centres for those most in need. These are currently being trialled at Exeter, Penrith and Carlisle but the plan is to roll them out across England by early next year. The aim is to ensure that farmers are never more than 30 miles from such a support centre.
“By the time these centres are established and accessible to farmers in Shropshire it may already be too late to get all of the necessary documentation they need to complete the registration,” added Mrs Cantrill.
“Farmers wanting to claim the new Basic Payment Scheme need to register for, and start using, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Information Service as soon as they receive a ‘Get Started’ registration pack from the Government.
“Whether it be through lack of technical know-how or inability to access the internet, anyone who thinks they will need assistance should get in touch with their land agent or professional advisor,” added Mrs Cantrill.
“The Government are not encouraging all customers to start using the service at once as they want to avoid the system being overloaded in a ‘big bang’ style way.
“But they are encouraging people to be prepared so that when it is time for them to register the process will go smoothly.”
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