HC Deb 29 January 1997 vol 289 cc286-7W
Mr. Bernard Jenkin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the arrangements are for integrated administration and control system applications in England and Wales in 1997. [13630]

Mr. Baldry

The deadline for submitting IACS applications in 1997 will again be the latest possible date of 15 May.

In England and Wales, the IACS explanatory booklets and forms will be issued in March. As in previous years, we have consulted closely with industry on the documentation. The separate booklet and form, introduced last year, for livestock farmers who have no interest in the arable area payments scheme, will be retained. Farmers will again receive both a full printout of their last year's declaration of forage, arable and other land areas, which they must check carefully to ensure that all entries are still correct and enter any necessary changes, plus a copy of this printout for their retention.

The latest date for applying for new field numbers so that they can be returned in time for farmers to lodge their 1997 IACS applications will be 1 March. Where changes to field boundaries occur after this date, applications for field numbers should accompany the LACS application form.

I strongly urge farmers to consider whether they need new field numbers now and not to leave applying until the last minute.