25 January 2011

Farmers and agents are urged to register and enrol now so they are able to use the SPS Online service as soon as it has been updated for 2011 applications.

SPS Online – the Single Payment Scheme’s electronic service – will be unavailable to allow for essential updates from Monday 7 February to Tuesday 1 March.

The service is being updated with all farmers’ application information ready for the 2011 Single Payment Scheme and is being transferred to the farming section of the Business Link website where it will be available from 1 March.  

How to register

 To register before 7 February, go to www.wholefarm.defra.gov.uk and select the RPA Online link from the top menu, then the Get Started button. Existing users will not need to re-register, however they are advised to update any ‘favourites’ or saved links. 

 Paul Moody, Customer Service Centre manager said:

 “We ask for farmers’ patience as the maintenance to SPS Online is essential. We will be updating the system with information for the new scheme year and will have the refreshed service up and running as quickly as possible. We’re also moving to be hosted by the Business Link website so farmers can access a wide range of helpful information for their businesses.

 “In the meantime, the call centre is ready to answer any queries and we’d urge you to get registered now so you are ready to submit your 2011 applications early, in March.”

The whole of RPA Online will be unavailable from Monday 7 February to Tuesday 1 March. Customers will not be able to Track Claims, View Statements, Register and Enrol, Update Contact Details or Make a Claim during this time.

Before farmers can register and enrol, they will need a Personal Identification Number (PIN). PINs were sent to all farmers early in 2010. Replacements can be requested using the link on the Registration and Enrolment screens of RPA Online, by email at csc@rpa.gsi.gov.uk or from RPA’s Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777. From 27 January to early March RPA will stop sending PINs on request as all farmers, who haven’t yet registered and enrolled for the service, will soon be sent a reminder of their PIN.  All PINs are issued by post.

From 1 March, farmers can access SPS Online on the Business Link website via www.businesslink.gov.uk/sps-claim, then select ‘Log in to RPA Online’. Farmers who have not used the service before should then select ‘Go to RPA Online to register’. The information for farmers to make their SPS 2011 applications will be available online from 1 March.

Benefits of Online Service

Using the online service allows you to:

• Access and amend personalised SPS data, and submit your application to us electronically.
• Check your application for common errors so you can correct them before you submit.
• Provide you with an on-screen acknowledgement that confirms your application has been received by us.
• Track your SPS applications for the 2009 scheme year onwards, regardless of whether you submitted your claim electronically or on a paper form.
• View printable versions of all Claim and Entitlements Statements that the RPA has sent you from the 2009 scheme year onwards.