Issued: 28/04/2009
1. How should I enter my agri-environment strips on my SPS application?
If you have agri-environment margins in a field, these should be recorded under the same land use code as the rest of the field and there is no need to split the parcel. For example, if you have a field of wheat, with an agri-environment strip, you should code the field as OT1. Note the exceptions to this are when Aid for Energy Crops or Protein Crop Premium are claimed and grown on the remainder of the field; in these circumstances please read the next FAQ.
2. How should I enter my agri-environment margins/strips onto my SPS application if they are in the same field as one that I’m claiming additional aid, such as Protein Crop Premium?
The agri-environment margin should be coded the same as the rest of the field, it does not need to be declared separately to the area being activated for SPS so the whole area should be declared in column C8. However, the margin cannot be claimed for additional aid, such as Protein Crop Premium.
The area of the agri-environment margin needs to be deducted from the area claimed for Protein Crop Premium at column C12. In these circumstances you need to supply a sketch map of the field showing the agri-environment margins and the area claimed for Protein Crop Premium.
The same applies where the field has agri-environment margins and is growing crops used for Aid for Energy Crops.
3. What land use code should I use for land where turf is being harvested?
Land used to produce turf for a lawn should be coded as grass. If it is used for this purpose for 5 years or more it would become permanent grass. Therefore it should either be coded TG1 or PP1.
Turf for fuel is counted as non-agricultural use and is ineligible for the Single Payment Scheme.
4. What code should be used for fields planted in Autumn 2008 where patches of the crop has not grown or has died off and cannot be replanted (for example, because of flooding)?
This land should be coded the same as the rest of the field, for example if the land was planted with wheat and some patches failed the whole field should be coded as OT1.
If the area is also being claimed for an additional aid payment, such as Aid for Energy Crops or Protein Crop Premium, and patches have failed, the claimant should reduce the area in column C12 to take account of these patches. The land would still be eligible for SPS, but not for an additional aid payment.
5. What code should be used for fields planted in Autumn 2008 where the whole crop has died off and cannot be replanted and won’t be harvested (for example, because of flooding or high water table)?
Land is no longer considered as being used for agricultural production the day after the previous crop fails. It is then classed as OT2 land and is subject to GAEC 12 legislation until preparations begin for the following crop.
On the SPS application form, claimants should declare the land with the most appropriate land use code. For example, if preparatory work for the following crop will have commenced by 15 May, the claimant should declare the land as OT1 even if the crop will not be sown by that date. If preparatory work will not have started by 15 May, the land should be declared as OT2.
Contact information
If you cannot find the answer to your question here, then please ring the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.
Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm
(Closed on bank holidays)
If your enquiry is not urgent please e-mail us at CSC@rpa.gsi.gov.uk or write to us at:
Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 1058
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 4YQ
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