Claim SPS online to cut the hassle

BY now Single Payment Scheme (SPS) application forms will have been received.

For most people it is now a matter of endless checking and double-checking of field data because just one poor calculation or minor oversight can hold up payment for weeks and seriously hit cashflow.

However, Norfolk farm secretary, Davina Simons, has put much of this worry behind her, however.

She processes SPS claims on behalf of four Norfolk farm businesses totalling 1,315ha (3,250 acres). Instead of poring laboriously over all 160 lines of printed land-parcel data, she downloads it directly from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) into her dedicated software package and lets the computer do the work.

Two software packages are approved by the RPA – Mrs Simons' is Farmplan's SPS Planner.

“It's a revelation because the error factor is reduced so much. Your data can be cross-checked against the data held by the RPA, highlighting differences straight- away. You can sort data the way you want to see it, and the software adds up the areas for you. With the land codes and prompts set up within the programme, the process is so much easier.”

Electronic channel

The creation of the new electronic channel to submit SPS forms to the RPA follows successful trials last year.

“We used to hand-deliver the forms to the RPA regional office to make sure they arrived safely and on time. But even then we nearly incurred penalties because of a stray form. The electronic channel is safer, cheaper and less time consuming.”

Using the software also saves time filling in paper forms. “We've saved at least a couple of days. When dealing with lots of small land parcels, being able to block data into cropping groups and process is simple. With prompts to ensure all areas are accounted for, there is less room for error.”

She says another advantage is the facility to change the data as many times as necessary. Eligible areas and the area claimed for protein, energy, nuts and Hill Farm Allowance are also automatically calculated. The cross-compliance questions are laid out logically and quickly answered.

“With the paper forms, you can make silly mistakes, especially when tired. Even when double-checking you can still miss small things. But the software guides you logically. You hit the button to send it straight to the RPA. An instant acknowledgement is your proof of receipt. The only paperwork to be posted are any additional documents, covering letters, RLE1 forms and maps.”

Mrs Simons also uses the software throughout the year when cross-referencing any RPA or

Rural Land Register queries on area information.

“It's much quicker to click on a field name than flicking through photocopies of paper forms.”