Aid for Energy Crops Scheme reminder for producers
 
To enable RPA to complete the processing of your energy crops contract you need to inform us of the amount(s) delivered to collector(s) / first processor(s) for each contract submitted, for the Aid for Energy Crops Scheme 2008.
 
The ENC 9 form was distributed to all Energy crop growers in the summer. The form along with guidance on how to complete the form (ENC9a) is also available to be downloaded from the RPA website.
 
The ENC 9 form is different for 2008 due to a change in EC regulations. It must now be signed by both the applicant and the collector/first processor.  We used to ask the collector/first processor to complete a separate declaration on an ENC 2 form, but the delivery details will now only be entered on the ENC 9 form.
 
For the 2008 scheme year we have set a representative yield for annual crops only. The representative yield is the minimum tonnage that an applicant is expected to deliver. Multi-annual crops, short rotation coppice and Miscanthus no longer require a representative yield, following a change to the EC regulations. Growers of multi-annual crops will still need to declare the total tonnage of crop harvested on the ENC 9 form or confirm that a harvest has not taken place for 2008.   
 
It is imperative that the ENC 9 form is returned to the RPA as soon as possible. We have started to make these payments, along with those under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). It is strongly recommended, therefore, that you ensure the form is returned as any delay in returning the form will delay your 2008 SPS payment.