FARMERS in the North York Moors National Park could face a bleak future as a result of the proposed single farm payment scheme, says the park authority's chief executive, Andy Wilson.

Park officers who have studied its implications say farmers in SDAs in the park and upland areas will get a lower level of payment than those elesewhere.

Mr Wilson says, in a report to go before the authority's meeting on Monday: "It appears the effect will be to greatly reduce the income of a considerable number of farmers in the SDA, essentially those who do not manage significant areas of moorland and keep sucklers or other cattle".

He warns that, if the fears do become a reality, and farmers get lower levels of public financial support, it will have environmental, economic and social effects on the park.

"At the same time, other farmers will tend to benefit, especially those with unsupported crops and extensive moorland grazing land.

"There has been much debate at a national level as to whether these single consolidated payments should be made on the basis of the area of land that a farmer manages, or based on the historic receipts to the farm in question" says Mr Wilson.

The Association of National Parks, of which the Moors park is a member, has made a strong case that payments to farmers in national parks should recognise both the importance of the environment of these areas and their difficult farming conditions.

"In general, land in national parks is less productive agriculturally but is, of course, environmentally rich. In terms of justifying long-term support for the farming industry, these factors should not be ignored" adds Mr Wilson.

Defra had attempted to overcome the inherent problems by introducing a hybrid system, he said, with the move from historic to area payments phaed in over eight years.

Mr Wilson also says the new entry level agri-environment scheme will not provide enough alternative funding to make up the shortfall for farmers in the SDA, but the higher entry level scheme, which equates with ESAs and Countryside Stewardship Schemes, would offer higher payments.

He is recommending that the park authority makes representations to try to ensure a better deal for the farmers who are threatened with being disadvantaged by the changes.