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The Area Payment for Nuts Scheme (APNS) was first introduced into the United Kingdom in 2004. The area payment is not decoupled and is separate to the Single Payment Scheme. It can therefore be claimed on any orchard growing nuts that satisfies the scheme eligibility criteria described below. The area of land you use to support your application for Area Payment for Nuts can also be used to support your application for SPS.
Applications for payment can only be made using the annual SP5 form.
Nut varieties eligible for APNS are:
- almonds falling within CN codes 0802 11 and 0802 12; - crop code NT3
- hazelnuts or filberts falling within CN codes 0802 21 and 0802 22; - crop code NT1
- walnuts falling within CN codes 0802 31 and 0802 32; - crop code NT2
- pistachios falling within CN code 0802 50; - crop code NT4 and
- locust beans (carob pods) falling within CN code 1212 10 10.
Orchards must be a minimum plot size of 0.1 hectares and a minimum tree density (per hectare) applies as follows:
- 125 trees for hazelnuts (NT1);
- 50 trees for almonds (NT3);
- 50 trees for walnuts (NT2);
- 50 trees for pistachios (NT4); and
- 30 trees for locust beans.
Isolated nut trees or a single row of nut trees planted alongside roads or other crops are not considered to be an orchard. Other trees, including chestnuts within an orchard will not necessarily prohibit a claim for aid, provided they do not exceed 10 per cent of the density required.
The average payment will be €120.75 per hectare unless the payment ceiling (based on a National Guaranteed Area of 100 hectares for the UK) is exceeded, in which case payments will be reduced.
Contacts
If you need to contact us about APNS please call 0845 603 7777. Or, if your enquiry is not urgent, please e-mail us at customer.service.centre@rpa.gsi.gov.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Nut Premium as referred to in Column C12 of the 2009 SPS Claim Form?
The 2009 average amount of the aid rate for nuts is €120.75 per hectare as referred to on Page 43 of the SPS Handbook & Guidance for England supplement for 2009. The payment rate may be reduced if the UK National Guaranteed area of 100ha is breached. For further details of the Nut scheme eligibility rules please see Page 43 of the SPS Handbook & Guidance for England 2009.
What nuts are eligible at Column C12 of the 2009 SPS claim form?
The eligible Nuts and the minimum number of nut trees per hectare are: Hazelnuts – 125 trees/ha. Walnuts – 50 trees/ha. Almonds – 50 trees/ha. Pistachios – 50 trees/ha. Locust beans – 30 trees/ha.
Are Nuts included in the 2009 Single Payment Scheme?
You will need to include your nuts claim on the Single Payment Scheme annual application but the area payments for nuts scheme has not decoupled and is therefore separate from SPS. Full details can be found on page 43 of the 2009 SPS Handbook & Guidance for England.
What is the definition of a Nut Orchard?
The definition of an Orchard is 'an unvarying and geographical continuous area which is not divided by other crops or plantations'. Isolated nut trees or a single row of nut trees planted alongside roads or other crops are not considered to be an orchard.
What are the crop codes for the eligible Nuts under APNS?
The codes to use on your 2009 SPS claim are as follows: Hazelnuts - NT1, Walnuts - NT2, Almonds - NT3, Pistachios - NT4
What are Permanent Crops under SPS rules?
Permanent crops are non-rotational crops which occupy land for five years or more and yield repeated harvests, for example top fruit (such as apples, pears, plums and cherries) nuts and grape vines.
What is the minimum plot size allowed to be eligible for payment under APNS?
The minimum plot size for APNS is 0.10 hectares.
What was the Sterling/Euro exchange rate on the last working day of September 2009 as this will be used to calculate 2009 SPS payments (and Aid for Energy Crops, Protein Crop Premium and Area Payments for Nuts)?
On the last working day of September 2009 at: 1 Euro = £0.90930 (source: European Central Bank). |
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