86,500 English farmers have now received their Single Payment Scheme payments.

The Rural Payments Agency has made full Single Payment Scheme payments amounting to £1.31 billion in the payment window which opened on 1 December.

This represents just over 70% of the estimated total fund value of £1.86 billion and 80% of the total estimated claimant number of 107,500 farmers.

Chief Executive Tony Cooper said:

"I’m delighted that we have been able to make these payments to farmers so quickly. We understand the importance of getting payment out into the industry and the agency will continue to focus on the remaining claims to make as many payments as quickly as possible.”

The figures published today show a significant improvement on last year’s, with around 21,000 farmers being paid just over £700 million by 16 December 2008.


Notes to editors

1. RPA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), providing a range of key services in support of the department’s objectives, including making rural payments, carrying out rural inspections, and livestock tracing.

2. The payment window for Single Payment Scheme 2009 opened on 1 December 2009 and closes on 30 June 2010.

Every claim is subject to a series of validation checks in line with the detailed EU rules.

Complex cases, often the higher value ones, and claims involving issues such as energy crops and the transfer of entitlements, can require significant processor activity - including resolution of issues with claimants - so these take longer to process.
RPA is working hard to finalise checks on claims for those whose claims are not yet ready to pay.

3. Media only contact: RPA Media Relations Manager Caroline Forcer
Tel: 0118 968 7680