Farmers face possible EU subsidies cut

Farmers in Cumbria say they could lose thousands of pounds a year if subsidies paid by the European Union are reduced. The Single Farm Payment helps to keep many farmers in business, particularly in upland areas.

Farmers here believe they will lose out more than most other parts of Europe.

Our Rural Affairs Correspondent Tim Backshall reports:

Derek Lomax, Group Secretary of the NFU in Kendal, says farmers could each lose several thousand pounds.

He wants the British Government to reduce the amount it takes out of the farm subsidy pot for environmental works, which he says is higher than other countries, and believes the countryside will suffer if the proposed changes are made as they stand.

The governments of the EU member states and the European Parliament have until June to try to bring about compromises or change what is proposed.

Farmers in Cumbria say they could lose thousands of pounds a year if subsidies paid by the European Union are reduced.

The Single Farm Payment helps to keep many farmers in business, particularly in upland areas.

The changes would mean that payments are reduced by five per cent for those receiving more than 5,000 Euros per year.

Farmers in Cumbria believe they will lose out more than most other parts of Europe if the changes are introduced because British farms tend to be larger than in other parts of Europe.