Latest figures, published today, show that the total value of payments made under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) is £1.21 billion which is 83.4% of the estimated total fund of £1.45 billion.

A total of 96,321 customers have received a full SPS payment. This represents 90.3% of the estimated total claimant population of 106,700.

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) continues to work towards making more full payments to more farmers earlier than last year, with a view to meeting its formal 2007 SPS target of making 90% of full payments, by value, by the end of May 2008.
Notes to Editors
RPA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and is responsible for administering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). Other key services include carrying out rural inspections and livestock tracing.

Media only contact: Ciaran Baker, RPA Press Office , 0118 968 7680, ciaran.baker@rpa.gsi.gov.uk