Natural England urges farmers to return HLS paperwork before 31st May

Natural England (NE) is urging farmers who have been offered HLS agreements which should have a 1st June 2011 start date but are yet to return the signed declaration to NE should do so before 31st May. If they do not they will find that their agreement will be given a post 1st June start date which will then affect the timing of their payments as a result of the EU audit of agri-environment schemes in England which would see them having to wait for a further 16 months until their first payment. Further information is available on the NE website.