We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.RPA announces flat rate 2009 SPS values
THE Rural Payments Agency has confirmed a big rise in flat rate values for the 2009 Single Payment Scheme in England.
The figures for the three English regions are:
- €190.47 (£168.49) for non-SDA (Severely Disadvantaged Areas).
- €156.09 (£141.93) for upland SDA, other than moorland.
- €27.37 (£24.89) for upland SDA moorland.
This is significantly higher than the 2008 flat rate figures for two reasons. The exchange rate on which the of values were based, €1 = £0.90930 as at September 30 2009, represents a significant improvement for farmers on the 2008 rate of €1 = £0.79030.
In addition, the flat rate figure has increased from 45 per cent to 60 per cent for 2009, as the system moves towards 100 per cent area payments by 2012, with the historic element falling to 40 per cent.
The RPA plans to start sending out 2009 Entitlements Statements in November.
The statements will confirm the number and value of each farmer’s 2009 SPS entitlements.
Guidance notes will be enclosed with the statements to explain how the value of the entitlements was calculated.
The agency is warning, however, that farmers and growers of permanent fruit and vegetables, nursery crops or vines who successfully applied for new entitlements may not receive their statements until early 2010. This includes farmers who already hold entitlements and have applied for additional new entitlements.
“Farmers and growers should check their Entitlements Statement when they receive it. If they believe the information within the statement is incorrect they should notify us in writing,” the RPA said.
The agency said it would start to make full SPS payments ‘as soon as possible’ after the payment window opens on December 1 to farmers whose claim has been validated.
RPA chief executive Tony Cooper said last week that the agency was on course to improve on last year’s performance when 69,000 farmers were paid in December.