EXPERTS are getting together to help farmers in Herefordshire, south Shropshire and adjoining counties plan their future in the light of the Mid-Term Review of European Union farming policy.

The changes in policy, due to be introduced from January 2005, will bring major differences to the way farms are managed.

The changes will be the biggest and most far-reaching since Britain joined the then Common Market in 1973 and they will introduce further environmental measures to force farmers to get closer to their markets.

Livestock auctioneers McCartneys are holding a series of forums to discuss the latest information available and Lloyds TSB Agriculture are also holding an open forum to help farmers cope.

In the hot seat for McCartneys with his in-depth knowledge of the current position, will be Kevin Pearce, senior livestock adviser to the National Farmers' Union in London.

While farmers already appreciate some of the main principles of the review, many issues remain unresolved, most importantly how the new single farm payment will be calculated, either as a flat-rate regional average, or based on individual historic receipts.

There are pros and cons for both arguments, and within two weeks when the consultation period closes, hopefully more details will begin to emerge.

McCartneys say that while it would be some time before all the issues are set in stone, as professional advisers they are determined to be at the forefront by offering producers help and advice in the weeks and months ahead to guide them through the radical policy changes.

Their forums are being held on Thursday, October 16, at three venues, starting at the Livestock Market in Worcester at 11 am, Ludlow Market at 3pm and the Community Centre, Knighton, at 7.30pm.

The forums are open to all farmers and growers throughout the area.

Lloyds TSB's forum, sponsored by Farmers' Weekly, will be held at the Abbey Hotel, Abbey Road, Malvern, the day before, October 15, between 1pm and 5pm and will provide an opportunity for active, one-to-one discussions with a range of professional advisers.

Greg Fowler, the bank's regional agricultural manager for Hereford-shire and Worcestershire, said the Common Agricultural Policy would require a new approach to farm asset management and forward planning.

"It is vital for farmers to have a clear understanding of the impact of the new regime and engage in the process of change as it will have a lasting impact on farming in the region.