KENDAL NFU is urging farmers in the area to get cracking with their IACS forms.

The Government issued the important paperwork two weeks late, but the deadline for farmers to return their forms remains at May 15.

Kendal NFU group secretary Derek Lomax explained that IACS (Integrated Administration and Control System) forms, which register every piece of land to be farmed in the year ahead, were the most important forms filled in by farmers because other payments, such as the Hill Farm Allowance, depend upon them.

" IACS forms usually go out at the start of March," said Mr Lomax.

"But this year it ended up being around about the 20th." He explained that farmers were usually able to get their IACS forms filled out and returned before the start of lambing, but the delay this year has meant, not only that farmers had two weeks fewer in which to complete their forms, but also that they now clashed with the demanding days of lambing season.

"We want to remind our members that if they have put their IACS forms to one side to get on with lambing they need to get them done.

They can ring us up if they need help."

For every day after deadline farmers are liable to lose one per cent of their payments for the first 20 days and everything thereafter.

The Gazette asked the Rural payments Agency why the forms had been issued two weeks late, and why the deadline had not been correspondingly extended.

Penny Corkish from the RPA said the forms had been delayed this year because there had been revisions to IACS and the forms and accompanying literature had been amended, She also said it was not within the Agency's power to extend the May 15 deadline because it was a European regulation and applied to all farmers within the European Union.

Kendal NFU can be contacted by members wanting IACS advice on 01539-722422.