Upland farmers paid £750k by RPA

Uplands farmers in England have been paid more than £750,000 from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

In the final year of the Uplands Transitional Payments scheme, 440 beef and sheep farmers – 99% of those eligible – received their payments.

RPA customer director Justin Chamberlain said farmers were receiving their funds a month earlier than usual this year thanks to more efficient processing of claims.

And he added that the payout figures highlighted the agency’s determination to deliver accurate and timely payments.

See also RPA breaks record for December SFPs

“The RPA is committed to supporting farmers and food producers to boost rural economies, so I am pleased that 99% of those eligible have received their money within just a few days of payments starting.”

The full rates for payments under the scheme for severely disadvantaged areas (SDAs) – other than moorland or common land – were set at: 0-350ha, £43.88 and £350.01-700ha, £21.94.

For SDA moorland and/or common land, payment rates were: 0-350h, £16.62 and 350.01-700ha, £8.31.