The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has warned that farmers may have to wait until 2007 before its computer systems can process subsidies on time.

In the RPA’s annual report, published this week, interim chief executive Tony Cooper cited problems with quality of data from the Rural Land Register, a computerised mapping service used to verify claims.

‘Completing the Single Payment Scheme in 2006 and future years remains immensely challenging,’ said Cooper.

‘We are committed to learning lessons. However, at this stage it is unlikely there will be significant progress before 2007.’

Cooper says a recovery scheme for RPA is being developed.

‘But it is clear that difficulties are deep rooted and, realistically, 18 to 24 months will be needed to stabilise, begin to improve performance and reduce resources to more manageable levels.’

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