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The Rural Land Register is being updated during 2009 and 2010.

The Rural Land Register (RLR) is a key database for RPA and the wider Defra family and the RLR Programme remains one of the Agency’s top priorities. Updating the Rural Land Register involves sending farmers maps of their holdings and asking them to confirm that these are correct or to send us any changes that are required.

Who will be affected?

Anyone in England who has claimed for the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) since 2007 or who is in a current agri-environment scheme agreement will receive new maps. There are farmers who won’t have, and will not receive new maps. For example:

• farmers who did not claim Single Payment Scheme in 2008 or 2009.

• farmers who are not in a current agri-environment scheme or woodland scheme.

• a landowner with a tenant who is claiming on their land - the tenant will be sent the maps for that land.

Farmers who have been inspected, either physically or by remote sensing (satellite imagery), will receive their maps when their inspection results have been processed and the Rural Land Register has been updated with the findings. These farmers will then be sent their maps with a covering letter and a guidance booklet. If farmers need to make any additional changes after they receive their maps they should contact us as soon as possible. We have written to farmers whose holdings have been subject to physical or remote sensing inspections to explain the process for their new mapping update maps.

Why are we doing this?

We are updating the Rural Land Register to ensure that we pay farmers the right money for their claims and to comply with EU requirements.
We will use the updated maps for scheme payments in 2010, farm inspections, and to plan for future online access.
We have listened to feedback from farmers and industry groups, and have used this to help make the update as easy as possible although inevitably, you might notice some changes.

What does this mean?

This update will include a number of improvements to the mapping information we currently hold, such as:

• Positional Accuracy Improvements (PAI) where plotting points are realigned to the National Grid more accurately. More information about PAI is available at, www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/pai/ (The RPA is not responsible for external content).

• Real World Change (RWC) that will show new roads, housing developments, water courses, etc.

• Permanent ineligible features will also be included, making it easier to highlight and remove them and will help farmers calculate their SPS eligible area.

What happens next?

The updated RLR information will be printed onto the 2010 SPS application forms. As in previous years, it is important for all farmers to check that the information that has been pre printed on their 2010 SPS application form is accurate and reflects the current state of their holding(s). Where the information is incorrect, it is the farmers responsibility to make the appropriate changes on their application form.