By the deadline for submissions last week (May 16th), over 30,000 UK farmers had applied online for their 2011 Single Payments; nearly twice the number of online applications for 2010.

30,850 Single Payment Scheme applications were submitted online this year, compared to 16,054 for SPS 2010.This figure represents around 30 per cent of the total SPS 2011 applications (105,000 thus far) received by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

The RPA’s customer services adviser, Simon Lunniss, said the figures proved the success of the online service. The RPA had hoped to increase uptake of its online service by 50 cent this year, but the final figures far outstrip these hopes.

Farmers who have yet to register to use RPA online services can still do so and track their claim’s progress online, even if their application was submitted on paper. Once they have registered, farmers can also view their recent Claim and Entitlements statements online.

16th May was the deadline for applications; however, farmers still have until Friday 10^th June to submit any late applications, although these will be subject to penalties, before the opportunity ends altogether.