SINGLE PAYMENT SCHEME UPDATE

If the Rural Payments Agency are to be believed, then very shortly farmers should receive notification from them of the definitive entitlement they will receive under the above scheme. This will take the form of a letter and formal statement along with advice as to whether or not the entitlement is verified or not ­ it is important to know whether or not your entitlement is verified. If you wish to transfer your entitlement for any reason then it is imperative that you notify the RPA in the required format no later than 2nd April this year and in many circumstances by 19th March. This year the RPA hope to send out pre-populated SP5 claim forms for completion and submission to them by 15th May in respect of this year’s claims. In addition claimants will have to complete an RLE 1 form if there are ANY changes to make to their claims or if they wish to transfer these entitlements. Agents can order these forms for claimants if they wish, but they will be sent to the claimant and the sooner this is due the better. For further advice please contact Andrew Coney or Andrew Thompson at our Preston office or Michael Foster at the Bolton office.