22 April 2009 - Ref 20/09
Full Hill Farm Allowance payments begin
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has begun making full Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) payments to hill farmers. Until now, European Rural Development Regulations meant that RPA could only pay up to 75% of the full value of each claim, but figures published today show that 5,476 HFA claimants have now received their remaining 25% balance payments.
To date £20.41 million has been paid out on the scheme.
The agency has also started to send out explanatory booklets for the HFA 2010 scheme which contain critical information concerning the schemes that are to replace the HFA from 2011. Claimants are strongly encouraged to read this in conjunction with the SPS Handbook and Guidance for 2009 and ‘How to complete your SPS 2009 application form.’
HFA 2010 claimants are also reminded to ensure their claim - which must be made on an SPS application 2009 form - is received by RPA no later than 15 May 2009. Applications received after 15 May, but before midnight on 9 June 2009, will be accepted but penalties will be applied. Any applications received after 9 June will be rejected.
Copies of the HFA explanatory booklet are also available online at www.rpa.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. HFA provides dedicated support to beef and sheep farmers in England’s upland areas. It will continue to be available until the end of 2010 under the new Rural Development Programme for England and will be replaced by a new uplands strand of the Environmental Stewardship scheme (Uplands ELS), which will be available from July 2010. Uplands ELS will be administered by Natural England.
2. Eligibility for the Uplands Transitional Payment scheme will, in part, be determined by the submission of an eligible claim for HFA 2010. Failure to submit an eligible HFA 2010 claim will mean that claimants will not be able to join the Uplands Transitional Payment scheme at any time in the future.
3. The HFA 2009 payment rates were set in the Hill Farm Allowance Regulations 2009 (SI2009/138) which came into force on 24 February 2009.
 | Area
(hectares) | Severely Disadvantaged Land (other than moorland or common land)
(£/ha) | Severely Disadvantaged Land (moorland or common land)
(£/ha) |
| 0 – 350 ha | 37.34 | 14.14 |
| 351 – 700 ha | 18.67 | 7.07 |
4. RPA is currently reviewing previous payments made under the HFA scheme, as checks have shown that some farmers have been overpaid. Under European Union regulations, this money has to be recovered, but RPA is giving all farmers a choice of ways to repay, including making monthly payments. Affected farmers are encouraged to contact the RPA to discuss repayment options.
5. RPA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and is responsible for administering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). Other key services include carrying out rural inspections and livestock tracing.
Media only contact
Caroline Forcer, RPA Press Office, 0118 968 7680, caroline.forcer@rpa.gsi.gov.uk
Page published: 23 April 2009