FARMERS desperate for news of when they can expect to receive the new farm payments were offered a small ray of hope as Defra announced its commitment to start the payments in February 2006.

Meeting this commitment depends on Defra convincing the European Commission not to tinker with how the payments are calculated and Defra reneging on giving farmers a preliminary indication of their entitlements. After intensive lobbying for information on how the processing of the payment applications was progressing, including letters to the RPA chief executive, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has expressed a mixture of relief and concern at the announcement.

CLA West Midlands regional adviser, Donna Tavernor, said: "At last, farmers have an indication of when they may receive their single payment which will aid in their business and cash flow planning - but this commitment is still dependent on so many 'ifs'. If the RPA software runs smoothly; if the mapping of new land is completed on time; if farmers immediately respond to RPA requests for further information; if the European Commission can be persuaded not to change how payment deductions are calculated... the list runs on. There is a real possibility that some of these 'ifs' will not be achieved.

"Our members will be very disappointed that advance interim payments are not going to be possible and that the best contingency on offer is an interim payment in February - which we understand will be more than half of the payment. But how much more is not known.

"If meeting a February payments deadline involves farmers foregoing receiving information on provisional entitlements, then I think we can all live with that."