The NFU is pleased at yesterday's government statement that a partial payment system, which they understand will be at a level of 80% of a total claim, will be launched "as soon as operationally possible".

The organisation is encouraged that the government has listened to the industry's concerns and has responded positively to its requests.

However, NFU Cumbrian County Chairman Trevor Wilson has said that although this appears to be good news for the county's farmers, he is still gravely concerned.

"I was sat in front of the Rural Payment Agency's Chief Executive Mark Addison last week and he said it would take weeks to get payments out to farmers," said Mr Wilson. "That's all well and good but if we are to receive partial payments I want to see them arriving as soon as possible because they are desperately needed.

"I will be extremely annoyed if we don't start receiving partial payments within a week and are then forced to wait even longer for the rest of the cash to arrive. My concern now is the remaining 20 per cent which will have to be paid before the end of June."

The NFU, CLA and TFA met Lord Bach this morning and stressed that the key issue will now be how quickly money reaches claimants.

The organisations strongly expressed their anxieties about the problems of 2006 applications and again urged that every opportunity is taken to introduce greater flexibility into the system."

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