FARMERS can get advice on completing farm subsidy application forms at a union meeting.

Rita Jones, farm liaison officer for the Welsh Government, will attend the NFU Cymru’s Brecon and Radnor county meeting on Monday, April 18 to advise members and other farmers on completing this year’s single application form.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is held at the NFU Cymru office at the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd.

Ms Jones will deliver a presentation and offer an update on basic payment scheme (BPS) rules and advice on the completion of this year’s single application form.

Colin Millichap, Brecon and Radnor NFU Cymru county chairman said: "Given the complexity and additional work associated with the current single application form, I am extremely grateful to Rita Jones for agreeing to address this meeting.

"I would encourage all farmers to look at this year’s form as well as their 2015 detailed payment statement before attending, so that potential issues relating to their claims can be resolved during the meeting.

"This is an open meeting and I do hope we get a good turnout, please also encourage your friends and neighbours to come along."Meanwhile the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) is reminding its members they can get help to complete the forms from its staff.Union staff have completed more than 1,000 single application forms since applications opened in March.FUW managing director Alan Davies said: “The SAF completion process is probably the single most important form completion exercise being carried out by Welsh farmers since 2004, and the financial repercussions of errors on the forms are severe. “Since the Welsh Government mandated that all applications should be done online, we've focused on providing the best possible service to our members. We can also do this for non-members, once they join the Union. “Our staff are well trained and up to speed with the process, so I encourage our members and first time form fillers to contact their local office as soon as possible to book an appointment if they need help in filling out the form.” The 2016 SAF will be used to request the allocation of basic payment scheme entitlements for new entrants or new young farmers, and to claim basic payment scheme. Completed single applicatiion forms together with any necessary supporting documents must be submitted to the Welsh Government by Monday, May 16 to avoid late submission penalties.