General SPS FAQ
General SPS FAQ
These questions are reviewed and updated frequently in response to requests for information on the Single Payment Scheme.
General Single Payment Scheme FAQ
1. What is the deadline for submitting SPS applications?
The deadline for the receipt of 2007 application forms is 15 May 2007. Late applications are accepted up to 9 June but will be subject to substantial late claim penalties. Applications received after the 9th June will be rejected.
2. How do I obtain an SBI (Single Business Identifier)?
Please phone the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777 to enquire about SBI's.
3. I have not received an SP5 form or application pack, what should I do?
If you require an application form and have not received one by April 12, you should call the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777. Alternatively you can call in at a Drop-in Centre from April 16 2007.
4. Can I buy/sell SPS entitlements?
You can sell entitlements with or without land attached, and land with or without entitlements. You can also lease land with entitlements attached but not lease entitlements without land. There may be more limitations depending on your circumstances. Further information can be found by looking at the transfer section and FAQ on this website.
5. Who do I contact regarding RLR mapping queries?
Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.
6. I wish to apply to Natural England for an ERDP scheme but some of the land on which I would like to apply is not shown on the maps.
You should obtain an RLE1 form from the Customer Service Centre and return the completed form to that site.
7. Do I need to complete an RLE1 form for corrections to boundaries for fields?
Yes. An RLE1 form should be obtained from the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777. Changes should be made on your maps which should be submitted along with your RLE1 form. Please note that the IACS22 form is no longer in use and has been replaced by the RLE1 form.
8. How do I add previously unregistered land on which I have never claimed?
If you wish to claim the land for SPS, the fields should be added to your SPS application. You should also request an RLE1 form from the Customer Service Centre, telephone 0845 603 7777, to register the land to the Rural Land Register, this RLE1 form should be submitted with your SPS application.
9. Some of my fields are missing from my SPS application form. What do I do?
You will need to add these fields to your application. If the fields have already been registered on the Rural Land Register (you have mutually/agreed signed off maps with RPA), you do not need to complete an RLE 1 form. If they are not registered on RLR you should obtain an RLE1 form from the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.
10. The maps I have received do not belong to me.
Please return the maps to the Customer Service Centre on the address below with a covering letter requesting that a new set of maps is printed for your holding.
11. What is permanent pasture?
To determine whether your land is permanent pasture for the purposes of the scheme (including for assessing whether it is eligible to be set-aside in the current scheme year), you should consider its status on 15 May each year.
Permanent pasture is land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage, either naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown), and that is not included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or longer excluding land which has been set-aside during this period whether under AAPS, the SPS, Regulation (EC) No 2078/1992 or Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.
In practice this means that land will be classified as permanent pasture when declared as being in grass or herbaceous forage on six consecutive SPS (or IACS) applications.
So, for example, if a parcel was first declared as being in grass on 15 May 1998 (i.e. was first put down to grass sometime during the period 16 May 1997 to 15 May 1998) then it will be classified as being permanent pasture when declared as grass for the sixth time on 15 May 2003. Similarly, if a parcel was first declared as being in grass on 15 May 2002 (i.e. was first put down to grass sometime during the period 16 May 2001 to 15 May 2002) then it will be classified as permanent pasture when declared as grass on 15 May 2007.
Where land was not declared on IACS applications, the same principle applies i.e. it will be classified as permanent pasture when it has been in grass or herbaceous forage on 15 May in six consecutive years.
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: 9 December 2011
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