RPA has updated its cross compliance literature in response to requests from the industry to provide further guidance regarding the powers of Statutory Authorities including utility companies, to access land and to carry out works.

If Statutory Authorities are to undertake work on land which is used to activate SPS entitlements, farmers will also need to consider the possible affect this has on the eligibility of the land under the scheme. This is particularly important as the SPS land eligibility rules apply for the entire calendar year. Further details are provided
in paragraph C53 of the Single Payment Scheme Handbook and Guidance for England 2008.

Updates have also been made to The Guide to Cross Compliance in England to reflect the EU’s changes to liability for cross compliance. These changes formed part of the amendments to the 10 month rule.

Farmers are advised to consider the terms of their contracts to ensure their interests are protected if a cross compliance breach occurs, or access to inspectors was prevented, once they have transferred land in to, or out of their holding. This is because claimants are responsible for ensuring cross compliance requirements are met for the whole calendar year on all the agricultural land that formed part of their holding on 15 May. This applies even if the applicant is not in occupation of the land for the entire year.

For the 2008 scheme year only, the claimant will not be held liable for any breach which occurs prior to 1 April 2008 where they were not in occupation of the land at the time of the breach.

The e-version of The Guide to Cross Compliance in England, which contains the most up to date information, can be found by following the cross compliance link, Farmer Guidance > Guide to Cross Compliance in England > Introduction and General Information > Contents 2008 page on RPA’s website www.rpa.gov.uk. The updated pages can be found by going to the contents page, they are marked as version 2.

If you do not have access to the internet and would like a hard copy of these updates please call our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777 and ask them to send you a copy of the updated pages. You will be asked for your business name and Single Business Identifier (SBI) when you call.


Notes to Editors

1. The Rural Payments Agency (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. Other key services include carrying out rural inspections and livestock tracing.

2. The changes to the SPS 10-month rule were agreed at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 21 January 2008. Farmers now only need to have SPS land at their disposal on one day (which, for the UK, has been set as 15 May) in each scheme year. Such land must though be eligible for the entire calendar year.


Media Enquiries

Caroline Forcer, RPA Press Office, 0118 968 7680; e-mail: caroline.forcer@rpa.gsi.gov.uk.