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Riding school fighting for survival without funding
Stephen Moorey of Elms Farm Equestrian Centre, Caythorpe with Lucky, fighting for fairer funding of rural businesses. Photo: 6305MF.
PARTNERS in a struggling equestrian business have met with the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food in their fight for fairer funding of rural businesses.
Stephen Moorey and Trudy Clark of Elms Farm Equestrian Centre at Caythorpe have been battling to get their plight heard as they have seen huge Rural Development Programme for England grants issued by the East Midlands Development Agency to farm-based businesses within the area to create fantastic riding schools and competition facilities but he has been blocked from getting a penny.
Mr Moorey said a clause in EMDA’s funding policy excludes non-farm based businesses such as theirs, despite being in rural areas, only allowing diversifying farmers and rural landowners to apply for the EU money for new business development. This goes against EU rules stating it should not unfairly displace or disadvantage existing businesses.
Mr Moorey warned businesses like his will be wiped out by unfair competition as fantastic new grant funded facilities elsewhere have tempted customers away. “It has been dire, but we don’t want to give up,” he said.
The matter is currently under investigation by the EU and the Parliamentary Ombudsman after a DEFRA inquiry failed to find fault.
Mr Moorey said: “I have been appalled by the sheer lack of understanding and poor handling in the delivery of this funding. It is a scandal in this country 50 per cent of rural businesses have to contend with competing with huge support to other busineses operating in the same market. Our business has to contend with almost every competitor obtaining financial support from this scheme. While due to what can only be described as a poor decision by regional development agencies, they exclude a funding stream that would allow us to even apply for funding to counteract the increased competition.”
He went on: “EU rules on state aid funding are extremely clear. The principles are to not create an unfair market, leading to distort a market. Over time it is impossible to compete.”
Last Wednesday they met in London with MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham Stephen Phillips and DEFRA minister Jim Paice. Mr Phillips said afterwards that the meeting was useful. “I remain concerned about some points, so I will continue to look into this on their behalf and support them however possible if and when they wish to take the matter further.”
In response EMDA says it identified priorities for investment after lengthy regional consultation, citing this as the reason why micro-enterprise support is not available in the East Midlands, unlike some other regions.
It stated: “At EMDA’s instigation, DEFRA conducted an independent investigation over Mr Moorey’s assertions. Its conclusions found that EMDA had followed DEFRA guidance in the assessment of applications for RDPE, which were entirely consistent in respecting the requirements imposed by the Regional Implementation Plan.
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Weather for Sleaford
Friday 25 May 2012
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