Thousands of farmers in England have received new maps
from the Rural Payments Agency as it updates it Rural Land Register
- but some are growing anxious.
WHAT'S ALL THIS AGAIN?
The RPA is updating its
Rural Land Register - effectively the definitive map of who is
farming what in England.
The map doesn't record land ownership, only the farmed land that
qualifies for single payment scheme money and who claims it. The
RPA is required to update its maps to meet a challenge from the EU
Commission.
WHY DO THEY HAVE TO DO THIS NOW?
The RPA has only had a narrow window in which to complete this
project. Work began in June with this first maps being sent out to
farmers. The RPA has to complete the project by December so it can
use the updated RLR mapping information to pre-populate next year's
SFP claim forms.
BUT I THOUGHT WE'D DONE ALL THIS?
The RLR was updated in 2005, but needs to be done again taking
into account Positional Accuracy Improvements
(Ordnance Survey
mapping software) and Real World Change, which is, well, physical
changes on the ground since then.
Also, the new RLR maps will include the latest Ordnance Survey
base layer.
SO WHAT'S CHANGED
Since the RPA began its mapping update in June, it has made two
significant changes.
A glitch in processing the first 17,000 maps meant many changes
to National Grid reference numbers: The RPA now says this has been
corrected and later batches of maps will mean fewer of these
corrections.
The RPA has aso decided to include boundaries declared in the
2005 mapping update, even where they are unclear. These disputed
boundaries, where previous information indicates a boundary but
where OS mapping and aerial photography can't find one, will be
marked with a series of stars. These need clarifying and agreeing
with the RPA.
Farmers who have still not received their maps will probably
have boundaries, marked with stars, that they need to clarify for
the RPA.
WILL THIS AFFECT MY 2009 SFP CHEQUE?
No. The work of updating the RLR and processing the 2009 SPS
payments is handled by two separate teams.
RPA chief executive Tony Cooper has said the organisation is
ahead of schedule and almost 70,000 farmers will receive their
payments this December.
WHAT ABOUT 2010?
Potentially, yes. The information on the updated Rural Land
Register will be used as the basis for 2010 single payment claims -
and the SP5 form will arrive pre-populated. So it's important to
make sure maps are accurate. Future RPA services will also use this
information, so this is the chance to make sure the RPA knows
exactly what you're claiming on.
AND BEYOND?
The updated RLR information will also be used for
Rural
Development Programme for England, Natural England and Forestry
Commission schemes, including: Entry Level Stewardship, Higher
Level Stewardship, Energy Crops Scheme, Farm Woodland Schemes.
I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED MY MAPS
The RPA reckons there are about 20,000 still to go out, and if
you haven't received yours by now, it's likely they have been
edited to identify unclear boundaries with the new "star"
symbols.
SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
No. The RPA insists it is on schedule and if you receive your
maps in October, your 2010 payments won't be in any more jeopardy
than if you received your maps in July.
However, the RPA is emphasising the importance of returning them
within the 28-day window.
WHAT ABOUT THESE "INELIGIBLE FEATURES"?
The updated maps seek to identify "ineligible features" - ponds,
metalled tracks, and buildings on which SPS cannot be claimed.
The RPA says some farmers have been reluctant to declare these
features as they fear it may preclude them from claiming
stewardship payments on ponds or woodland parcels - but the RPA
says this is not the case. "They will appear as ineligible features
on the updated maps," says policy manager Simon Lunniss. "But
that's only for single payment purposes.
"The same applies to traditional farm buildings which are part
of a modern yard or steading - as long as these features are on the
Farm Environmental Record they can still attract points under
stewardship schemes."
WHAT WILL THE RPA SEND ME?
- A guidance booklet
- The maps sheets themselves
- Field data information sheets
- Pre-paid reply envelope
- Form RMU1 - the form to make changes to your maps.
WHERE CAN I GET HELP?