The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is appealing for growers to apply for new entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), available this year only as a result of a change in EU policy.
The SPS rules have changed so that farmers and growers who have land used for permanent fruit and vegetables, including commercial orchards, nursery crops and vines, and could not claim in 2005 when the scheme started may be eligible to apply for new SPS entitlements this year.
These new entitlements can then be used to claim payment for the first time in the 2010 scheme year.
And growers with land under these crops can now claim for payment in 2009 against existing SPS entitlements for the 2009 scheme year. The deadline for applications is August 13.
Guy Robertson, RPA new entitlements manager, told freshinfo: “Our job is to let growers know the options - it is a payment, but they have to be aware that they have to do things for it, such as achieve agricultural and environmental standards.
“We are hoping that decisions will be made before the end of the year so that growers can claim in 2010.”
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