Issued: 23/12/2009


1. Why have I been paid less than the value on my SPS 2009 Entitlements Statement?
The Entitlements Statement does not take account of deductions, such as modulation. The claim statement guidance (sent out with the claim statement) provides further details.


2. I understood the modulation rate was 19% for 2009. Why has some of my payment only had 14% deducted for modulation?
European modulation is rated at 0% for the first €5,000. Following the CAP Health Check simplification we apply this exemption at the time we calculate your SPS payment. This means there is no longer any need to make a separate modulation repayment.

The example below helps to explain the modulation deducted from an SPS 2009 claim with a claim value of €400,000.

Direct Payment	Modulation Rate
Up to 5,000	14% National Modulation	€5,000 at 14%	€700.00
	0% European Modulation		0
5,000 to 300,000	12% National	€295,000 at 12%	€35,400.00
	7% European	€295,000 at 7%	€20,650.00
the remaining 100,000	8% National	€100,000 at 8%	€8,000.00
	11% European	€100,000 at 11%	€11,000.00
Total deduction €			€75,750.00
Total deduction £ (using the exchange rate below)			£68,879.00

Please note as each claim line is calculated in Euros, there may be some slight rounding differences shown on the statement.


3. What is the exchange rate for 2009?
Payments under the Single Payment Scheme and other EU direct aid schemes (Area Payment for Nuts, Aid for Energy Crops and Protein Crop Premium) are set in Euros and are converted to sterling each year using exchange rates calculated in accordance with EU Regulations.

That rate is the last one set by the European Central Bank (ECB) in September. For 2009 this was confirmed as €1 = £0.90930


4. I have had a remote sensing inspection on my farm this year, when will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
As in previous years we continue to make payments to farmers who have had land subject to remote sensing inspections. If you have not yet responded to our letter about our remote sensing inspection findings we would ask that you respond quickly to avoid any delays as we cannot make your 2009 payment until the inspection results have been confirmed, and we have completed all the checks to validate your claim.


5. I have had an SPS physical inspection on my farm this year. When will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
As in previous years we continue to make payments to farmers who have had land subject to a physical inspection. If you are one of these farmers you will be paid once we have checked and made any necessary corrections and completed all the checks to validate your claim.


6. I have had a cross compliance inspection on my farm this year. When will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
As in previous years we continue to make payments to farmers who have had a cross compliance inspection. If you are one of these farmers you will be paid once we have checked and made any necessary reductions and completed all the checks to validate your claim.


7. I claimed Aid for Energy Crops on my SPS 2009 application form. When will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
As in previous years we have issued a reminder on our website. You will need to have completed and returned your ENC9 form before we can complete the validation of your claim.


8. I submitted an SP11 (Entitlements activation) form with my SPS 2009 application form. When will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
We continue to make payments to farmers who have submitted an SP11 form with their SPS 2009 application. Your claim can only be paid once we have checked and made any necessary corrections and completed all the checks to validate your claim.


9 .I have been told my entitlements are being corrected. When will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
We continue to make payments to farmers who are having their entitlements corrected. Your claim can only be paid once we have checked and made any necessary corrections and completed all the checks to validate your claim.


10. Some of my land has been reclassified because of a correction to the LFA/Moorland line. When will I be paid my SPS 2009 payment?
We continue to make payments to farmers who have had changes made to their land classification. Your claim can only be paid once we have checked and made any necessary corrections and completed all the checks to validate your claim.