Help at hand on CAP reforms

With just over three months to go until farmers have to bring in fundamental changes to the way they farm, specialists from a number of professional and farmer groups are hosting an event to answer local concerns about the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Lloyds TSB Agriculture and The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC) have teamed up with Farmers Weekly, to host a CAP Reform Business Planning Event on Tuesday, September 28, at the Abbey Hotel, Abbey Road, Malvern between 1pm and 5pm.

The event is free, there is no need to pre-book and farmers can call in at any time. Lloyds TSB Agriculture hope that as many farmers as possible will come along for informative one-to-one discussions with a range of professional advisers.

There will also be a continuous rolling presentation on CAP reform, static displays and informative guides to take away.

"The CAP reform will deliver the most fundamental changes that UK agriculture has seen in the last 50 years, and it is now just around the corner," said Greg Fowler, Lloyds TSB Regional Agricultural Manager for Hereford and Worcester.

"The review of policy, due to be introduced from January 2005, will change the way farmers will operate and plan their business development.

"This event in Malvern is one of 28 events we are hosting up and down the country to talk to farmers directly.

"We want to make sure they are fully aware of all the implications so that they can take full advantage of the opportunities CAP reform offers," he said.

As well as representatives from Lloyds TSB Agriculture and the AMC, local professionals from a range of disciplines will be on hand to offer advice and guidance. Other partners involved in the event include:

Aubourn Rural Business Consultancy

Crowther Beard Chartered Accountants

Carver Knowles Consultants

Morton Fisher Solicitors

John Amos & Co

The Hutchinson Partnership