2007 Land use codes FAQ
The 2007 Land use codes FAQ has been updated to give further guidance on how to record agri-environment scheme land (Questions 12 to 16) - 11/05/07.
1. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Wheat?
The code you should use is OT1.
2. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Barley?
The code you should use is OT1.
3. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Oats?
The code you should use is OT1.
4. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Oilseed rape?
The code you should use is OT1. However, please see Q6 below for Land Use codes relating to claimed areas of Energy Crops entered in column C12 of the 2007 Single Payment Scheme application form.
5. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Sugar Beet?
The code you should use is OT1.
6. What are the 2007 Land Use codes for Energy Crops grown on non set-aside land?
There are a number of codes that could be used, depending on the type of crop grown. It should fall within one of the following codes:
EC1 - Short rotation forest trees covered by CN code 0602 90 41;
EC2 - Soya beans covered by CN code 1201 00 90;
EC3 - Colza seeds covered by CN code 1205 10 90. (Double Zero varieties of Rapeseed. "00" Rapeseed);
EC4 - Colza seeds covered by CN code 1205 90 00. (High Erucic Rapeseed);
EC5 - Sunflower seeds covered by CN code 1206 00 91;
EC6 - Sunflower seeds covered by CN code 1206 00 99;
EC7 - Other energy crops used for heat and power;
EC8 - Other energy crops used for transport fuel.
7. What are the 2007 Land Use Codes for Set-aside?
The 2007 Land use code for set-aside will normally be SA1, unless you are using land in the following categories:
EU Farm Woodland-type schemes on set-aside land - SA2;
EU Agri-environment scheme land used as set-aside - SA3;
Non-food crops on set-aside land - NF1;
Non-food crops on set-aside land in a multi-annual agreement - NF2.
8. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Temporary Grass (i.e. grass less than 5 years old)?
The 2007 land use code for Temporary Grass will normally be TG1 unless the following categories apply:
Temporary grass used to make Dried Fodder - TG2;
Temporary grass in an Agri-Environment scheme - TG3.
9. What is the 2007 Land Use code for Permanent Pasture (i.e. grass more than 5 years old)?
The 2007 Land Use code for Permanent Pasture will normally be PP1 unless the grass fits into any of the following categories:
Permanent pasture in conversion (where you have been instructed by RPA to convert back to permanent pasture – PP2;
Permanent pasture used to make Dried Fodder – PP3;
Permanent grass in an Agri-Environment scheme - PP4.
10. What are the 2007 Land Use codes for forests/woodland?
The 2007 Land Use code for forests will normally be FR1 except in the following circumstances:
If the land is in a Farm Woodland type scheme - FR3;
Land afforested that was permanent pasture on 15 May 2003 – FR4;
Grazed woodland and orchard on which you are claiming SPS – PP1.
11. What is the 2007 land use code for Horticultural crops?
In general, if a horticultural crop is grown for human consumption, you should use code FV1. If grown as fodder crop for feeding to animals, you should use code OT1. Further details of the crops requiring Horticultural Authorisations are set out in paragraph G5 of the SPS Handbook and Guidance for England 2006 and updated in the 2007 supplement.
12. What is meant by the term “Agri-Environment" schemes in the context of the SPS land use codes?
These are all the schemes covered under both the old and the new Rural Development regulations (ERDP/RDPE):
Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), Organic Aid Scheme (OAS), Arable Stewardship Scheme (ASS) and Habitat Scheme (HAB), Environmental Stewardship Schemes which are called Entry Level Scheme (ELS), Organic Entry Level Scheme (OELS) and the Higher Level Scheme (HLS).
For specific guidance on set-aside you should refer to the advice in the Set-aside Guidance booklets and the 2007 SPS supplement.
13. When should I use land use code OT1 and AE1?
Land use code OT1 – “Other (including protein/energy crops where you do not want the additional premium)” and Land use code AE1 - “Land in agri-environment schemes that does not fit into any other land use code”. The declared land code used for land within an ERDP/RDPE agreement needs to accurately reflect what is in the field whether it be peas, beans or energy crops etc.
You should use the most appropriate SPS code to describe what is in the field. If you have any other crop type which does not fall within other SPS land use code descriptions you should use the code OT1. AEI is to be used only where the land is under an ERDP/RDPE agreement and there is no other more appropriate SPS code. This is the current advice in Annex B of the 2007 SPS Supplement.
14. Can I claim SPS for set-aside land if it is in an agri-environment scheme option and still receive both payments?
In limited cases this may be possible as long as land also meets the SPS eligibility criteria but usually this is only where the agri-environment option goes beyond the set-aside management requirements. This would generally exclude CSS, the majority of ES options and all the ESA schemes with the main exception being the “all land” tier, that is part of some ESA schemes.
HOWEVER this is a specific tier and is not the same as all of the land being in an ESA scheme. If you are uncertain if your land is covered by this tier you should consult with your NE adviser BEFORE entering land into set-aside.
If you seek to count land currently under an agri-environment agreement as set-aside for the purposes of the SPS, in most cases, your agri- environment payments are likely to be reduced or stopped or, if already paid, recovered with interest. For further details you should consult with your Natural England Adviser.
15. How should I enter my agri-environment strips if the rest of the field is set-aside?
If you wish to declare a land parcel as set-aside that contains agri-environment margins/strips and still receive your agri-environment payment for these options, you must declare the area of the margins/strips separately for SPS under an appropriate non set-aside land use code such as SPS code TG3 (temporary grass in an agri-environment scheme). E.g. if you have a 10ha field, of which 1ha is a grass strip under an agri-environment scheme, you should split your field into two parts and code 1ha as TG3 and 9ha using the appropriate set-aside code. A sketch map of the area should be provided.
If you only record the whole parcel as set-aside it will be assumed that you meant to put the whole field into set-aside and both RPA and Natural England will act accordingly. This will result in your agri-environment payment for the margins/strips/blocks being stopped with the exception of those ELS/OELS/HLS codes listed as compatible with set-aside at page 10 of the 2006 Set-aside booklet.
The SPS 2007 supplement, page 6 sets out the procedure to be followed and the possible implications on payments.
16. How should I enter my agri-environment strips if the rest of the field is NOT in set-aside?
If you have agri-environment margins in a field which is not being claimed as set-aside, these should be recorded under the same land use code as the rest of the field and there is no need to split the parcel e.g. if you have a field of wheat, with an agri-environment strip, you should code the field as OT1. Note the exceptions to this are when Aid for Energy Crops, Protein Crop Premium are claimed or Fruit, Vegetable or Potato (FVP) crops are grown on the remainder of the field; in these circumstances the field should be split and sketch maps provided.
Contact information
If you cannot find the answer to your question here, then please ring
the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.
If your enquiry is not urgent please e-mail us at CSC@rpa.gsi.gov.uk or write to us at:
Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 1058
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE99 4YQ
Page published: 14 September 2010