SPS 2010 payments ‘could be delayed’ by RPA mapping errors

The review team did not examine the project in detail but concluded on the basis of what it saw that it was not ‘well planned or well executed’.

It noted the ‘significant criticism’ of the project from the farming industry over the production of ‘inaccurate or unrecognisable maps, particularly around boundaries and land parcel numbering’.

It said fears this could ‘derail’ 2009 SPS payments proved unfounded but warned there is ‘now evidence to suggest there will delayed effect into the 2010 claim year with risks to payment dates’. 

“It is possible that the combined effect of the RLR delays and errors on the 2010 claim year and Natural England’s ELS re-launch will result in a number of problems for farmers and both organisations in 2010,” the report said.

The review predicted the agency was likely to receive more complaints over the course of the 2010 claim year about the ‘uncertainty’ surrounding the maps and their ‘perceived or actual accuracy’.

Questioned on the claim, an RPA spokeswoman said the agency was ‘on target’ to meet its goals for SPS 2010 but admitted it will be ‘tough’ in light of the RLR update.

She reiterated the agency’s aim to ‘make as many payments as possible, in full, as early as possible in the payment window’. 

“For 2009/10, RPA had a target of making 75 per cent of payments by 31 January.  The target for 2010/11 is for 85 per cent of customers to have been paid by December 31^st 2010, and RPA is on target to deliver this although it will be tough following major upgrades to the land register and improving data accuracy,” she said.

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