FARMERS confused by the complexities of the new Single Payment Scheme may miss a January 31 deadline and receive less than they should, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has warned.

The new Single Payment, linked to various environmental conditions, is initially based mainly on a farmer's historical subsidy record in the three years between 2000 and 2002.

But some farmers may be entitled to more in certain cases of hardship or exceptional and unforeseeable events, provided they apply before the end of this month.

Applications to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) can be made on the basis of reduced production because land was under an agri-environment scheme during the reference period or if land was taken out of production because of intervention by a statutory authority, like the laying of a pipeline, or through other exceptional circumstances.