Single Payment Scheme 2008 payment update

A live test of payment systems for the 2008 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) is underway and has resulted in a small number of SPS eligible claimants receiving an SPS payment.

As last year further testing is scheduled to monitor the effectiveness of the payment process and an update of payments under the 2008 SPS scheme will be published in due course.

RPA is working towards making more payments to more farmers earlier than last year, with a view to meeting its formal targets of making 75% of payments, by value, by the end of January and 90% by value by end of March 2009.


Notes to editors:

1) 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.

2) The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) can now only make payments direct into bank accounts using BACS transfer, in line with new European Union legislation requirements, which took effect on 16 October. Those farmers who have not yet provided with their bank account details, are urged to do so urgently.

3) RPA's Customer Service Centre's phone line 0845 603 7777 will be open for SPS queries as usual from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday – Friday and on
Saturday 6 December only from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.

4) Media only contact: RPA Media Relations Manager Caroline Forcer on 0118 968 7680.