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Damning criticism of RPA ‘long overdue’, says CLA The CLA says that an Independent Review's call for radical improvement at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) was long overdue. The Association backed the Review's key findings that: · there was a lack of "appropriate governance and oversight" within the RPA leadership and Defra, · there were "considerable gaps" in controls and leadership capability, · the Agency's financial processes and controls should be strengthened and customer service improved, · new IT systems need to be developed now for post-2013 . CLA President William Worsley said: "This damning criticism of the RPA is long overdue and only confirms what farmers and land managers have known for a long time. Nevertheless, the CLA is horrified with the findings relating to the financial management. It seems very little reliance can be placed on any RPA data and this must be borne in mind when setting future targets. "We welcome the Review and particularly Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice's pledge to personally drive forward progress at the RPA by chairing a new Oversight Board. His determination to change the Agency is encouraging. "There is undoubtedly a vast amount to do but, with a new leadership in place, the RPA could one day provide farmers and land managers with the quality of service they deserve." Angus Collingwood-Cameron, CLA Director North East, added: "I don't think that there will be a farmer in the North East who will be surprised by the findings of this review. Reform of the RPA must be an absolute top priority of the new Defra team. There is nothing that frustrates farmers more than the inefficiencies of the RPA. Its improved performance is key to farm business efficiency." |
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