18 May 205, Ref 25/05:
In recent weeks farmers and their agents have been concentrating on completing and submitting their first application for the Single Payment Scheme.
Now that the 16 May deadline has passed, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) would like to remind producers and agents of the importance of responding to any requests they have received for additional information concerning the historic reference data. This was detailed in the Information Statements (SP1) sent to farmers last summer.
Before the Single Payment is made most claims require two elements – one part is based on the information supplied by farmers on their SP5a application and the other is based on their claims made in the period 2000 – 2002.
RPA is currently waiting to hear from over 1,000 producers who have been asked to provide additional information, mainly relating to the exclusion of scheme years due to hardship, or relating to business changes such as the split of the original farm business. Letters, and in many cases reminders have been sent to the individuals concerned
This information is vital as it must be taken into account before RPA is able to calculate and pay the Single Payment. Any delays in receiving this could delay the payment of subsidy not only to the individuals concerned but to all claimants. RPA urges anyone who has been asked to supply additional information and who has yet to reply to do so as soon as possible.
Any farmer who is unsure about what additional information has been requested from them should contact the RPA office shown on their Information Statement (SP1).
END
Notes for Editors
1. 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 SPS in England.
2. The SPS was introduced by Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and replaced most existing crop and livestock schemes from 1 January 2005.
3. The introduction of the SPS is the biggest change in agriculture in the last 30 years. Farmers used to be paid according to production levels, but from 1 January this year the Single Payment replaced the majority of the old subsidy regimes. The new system means farmers are free to produce what the market wants, rather than what subsidy dictates, whilst also delivering a high level of environmental protection through “cross compliance”.
4. In the early years, the Single Payment is largely linked to a farmer’s historical subsidy record, but by 2012 it will become an entirely flat rate payment. The proportion of available funds to be allocated on the flat rate basis in each year will be: 10%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, 90%, 100%.
5. RPA issued Information Statements during July-September 2004 to all producers who had received support payments in the reference period 2000-2002. The Information Statements gave details of the number of animals and areas of land that will be used to calculate the historic element of the Single Payment.
6. Separate announcements are being made about SPS arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
7. For further information: Penny Corkish on 0118 953 1746.
Page published: 11 July 2007