Set-aside code queries see RPA staff retrained

The Rural Payments Agency has retrained its call centre staff on the set-aside codes to be used on single farm payment forms after queries from Farmers Weekly.

FW alerted the agency to the fact that some farmers have been told to use the code SA6 for their set-aside rather than the correct code SA1.

One contacted the magazine by e-mail to say: “When trying to find out the correct codes for set-aside I actually managed to get through to the helpline and was told that you should enter SA6 for any set-aside up to the 8% required and SA1 for any above that. I did query this, but was assured it was correct.

“Having already sent in my form in, I am quite concerned that problems will arise with it, and am angry that staff do not give correct answers.”

Bill Duncan, head of the RPA’s central scheme management unit, said he had reminded customer service centre staff on Monday (Apr 18) that the normal code for set-aside should be SA1.

But farmers who had already sent in their forms with the incorrect use of SA6 need not worry.

“As long as the land concerned is in set-aside, is managed in accordance with the set-aside management conditions and is sufficient to meet the minimum set-aside requirements for the area concerned, RPA will accept it without further amendment,” said the agency.

isabel.davies@rbi.co.uk