RPA issues single farm payment update along with application form reminder

The Rural Payments Agency is reminding farmers that the final deadline for the submission – albeit with penalties – of 2007 single farm payment forms is midnight on 9 June.

Any SP5 forms received after 9 June will be rejected.

The RPA has said that drop-in-centres will be open on 9 June between 8.30am and 5.00pm. Application forms can also be deposited at drop-in-centres after 5.00pm, but before midnight, using the post-boxes provided.

The agency has also issued its latest figures (6 June) which show that a total of 104,618 customers have received either a full or partial 2006 SFP payment. 

This represents 96% of the estimated total claimant population of 109,000.  The total value of those payments is £1.390 billion, 91.5% of the estimated total fund of £1.52 billion.

Under EU rules the RPA is supposed to pay 96.14% of the total fund by 30 June. If it fails to meet this target it is likely to be fined by Brussels.

Read the FWi special report on the Single Payment Scheme.

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