There are calls for an amnesty after it emerged that thousands of farmers are receiving letters from the EU seeking the return of money paid to them under the Single Farm Payment.
North West MEP Jim Higgins says penalties are being imposed on farmers as a result of an audit which retrospectively changes the land measurement criteria for the payment.
However, Jim Higgins says the money was claimed in good faith at the time, but a new way of accurately measuring land parcels means that since 2008, there have been some anamolies, and some farmers are being asked to repay amounts up to a thousand euro and more.
He says it’s not the farmers’ fault, and they shouldn’t be penalised……….
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