Thousands get ready to claim Basic Payment Scheme 2015
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is inviting thousands more farmers and landowners throughout England to take the first online step towards claiming this year’s new scheme payments. RPA CEO Mark Grimshaw, speaking at the NFU Council on Tuesday (20 January), announced a significant ramping up of the numbers invited to register on the new rural […]
SPS 2014 – RPA creates new record on first day payments
Figures issued today (8 December) show the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has already surpassed last year’s performance on Single Payment Scheme (SPS) by making more payments than ever before on the first banking day of the payment window, meeting its end of December targets four weeks ahead of schedule. The Agency paid out £1,370,328,624 to […]
CAP Reform: Dual use will continue to be allowed in 2015
Farmers and landowners in England with Environmental Stewardship agreements will be able to maintain their existing dual use arrangements in 2015. The Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) External Relations Director Arik Dondi, said: “This decision, announced this week, covers all existing Environmental Stewardship agreements, including those remaining to be signed up this year, and means the […]
Vital greening advice available for farmers at Tillage Live 2014
Farmers attending the Tillage Live 2014 agricultural event in Gloucestershire next week can talk with Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) experts on how new European ‘greening’ environmental measures will affect them. The latest Defra Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) leaflet is available at the event, held at the Down Ampney airfield near Cirencester on Wednesday 10 September. […]
Guidance on CAP compliance for cereals and oilseeds growers
Defra has released important information on how the new Common Agricultural Policy will be implemented in England, including how the new ‘greening’ requirements will work in practice. Of particular interest to cereal and oilseeds growers will be clarification of the rules around crop diversification and ecological focus areas (EFAs). Full details of all changes are […]
New details on CAP implementation announced
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss has today announced further details of what the new CAP greening rules will mean for English farmers, whilst calling on the EU to provide urgent clarity on the outstanding issues and review the three crop rule. The new guidance aims, within the constraints set by Brussels, to be as simple and […]
Welsh Farmers reminded of changes to CAP payment system
Farmers in Wales will have recently received a letter from the Welsh Government reminding them that, from January, their direct payments will be made through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). The new BPS will replace the Single Payment Scheme and will include a new ‘greening’ requirement aimed at protecting the environment and will provide extra […]
RPA boss says agency faces toughest test yet on CAP
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) faces one of the most challenging periods in its history, according to chief executive Mark Grimshaw. Speaking at the publication of its 2014/15 Business Plan, Mr Grimshaw said the key challenge for 2014/15 would be preparing RPA people and customers for a smooth transition to the new CAP schemes. Working […]
Hundreds sign up for free CAP Reform seminar online
More than 220 people have signed up to attend a free online seminar on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform and greening next week. The event is being held jointly by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and Farming Advice Service (FAS) for farming advisors who were unable to attend one of the recent CAP Reform seminars […]
