NFU Cymru has written to the Welsh Assembly Government following a number of rejections for the Organic Farm Scheme, (OFS). The main reason for this is because members were unaware that they had to complete a separate application for the OFS scheme in addition to registering their interest in the scheme on the SAF 2008.
Many of these NFU Cymru members submitted their SAF well in advance of the deadline for return, and the Union believes that if members had been given the opportunity they could have completed the very basic application form had they only been advised that they had to complete a separate application in addition to the SAF.
Mary James Head of Policy for NFU Cymru said, "Given the obvious confusion over the application process we would contend that the Welsh Assembly Government should take the interest expressed on the 2008 SPF form as the formal application for the OFS. These members who registered on the SAF, have completed or are in the process of completing the land schedules which are due in by 31 July, and some have been involved in significant expenditure to prepare for conversion".
