WEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett has met Farm Minister Lord Whitty to press for a fairer system of farm payments when the changes to the Common Agricultural Policy are introduced.

Mr Burnett was accompanied by South West representatives from the National Beef and Sheep associations and the Tenant Farmers? Association.

The MP said the move from subsidising production to subsidising land was sensible but he had two big concerns.

?The scheme divides the land into severely disadvantaged areas and the rest and the first category attracts a third of the subsidy which goes to other land,? he said.

?This should only include moorland so that public money is not wasted on subsidising grouse moor owners.

?Instead, the line has been drawn to include several hundred hill farmers on Dartmoor and Exmoor which puts the future of many local farmers in jeopardy. They are clearly being put in the wrong category.?

Mr Burnett also urged the minister to ensure that new payments were made direct to tenant farmers rather than to landowners.