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Farmers welcome review of appeals system |
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Tuesday, 11 September 2007 |
Scottish farmers have welcomed news that the Government is too look into the system of appeals for farmers who suffer financial penalties as a result of mistakes made on official paperwork.
The National Farmer’s Union in Scotland (NFUS) says that the current system does not distinguish between farmers who have made an “innocent error” when filling out often very complex forms, and the small minority who do deliberately provide false information.
The fines for incorrectly filing information can run into the tens of thousands of pounds.
NFUS President Jim McLaren said:
“This is a welcome move and meets the commitment in the SNP manifesto to look again at the appeals process. What we really need is a culture change within government on this issue. Someone who has accidentally ticked the wrong box on an application form should not find themselves thrown out of a scheme.
“Obviously, when it comes to any business receiving public money, there should be clear rules. But the current system is too often devoid of common sense and, in my mind, it cannot be called independent when Ministers can ignore or over-rule the findings of the external panel members and when Department officials are part of that panel. I hope this is a step towards the kind of appeals system we have been lacking for years and which will earn the confidence of farmers. We shouldn’t have to take government to court to fight for common sense.”
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