01/03/2011

Farmers in England can submit their applications for Single Payment Scheme 2011 online from today, 1 March.

All farmers are encouraged to use the free SPS Online service, which checks for common mistakes before applications are submitted. SPS online also provides an instant receipt so farmers do not have to travel to drop-in centres to hand in their forms. The service is now available on the Business Link website via www.businesslink.gov.uk/sps-claim.

Farmers who applied online last year won’t be sent a paper SPS application form this year, however they will still be sent a guidance book.

Paper application forms will be sent in early March to farmers and agents who didn’t apply online last year,. These farmers are also being re-sent their e-channel personal identification numbers (PINs) and a booklet explaining how to register and enrol for the online service, to make it as easy as possible.

Drop-in centres for farmers who want to submit paper application forms open from 21 March. With the popularity of the online services growing, fewer drop-in centres will be open, however they will be open in Carlisle, Crewe, Exeter, Northallerton, Nottingham, Newmarket, Reading and Worcester.

Simon Lunniss, RPA’s customer services adviser said:

“We know some farmers are in the habit of travelling long distances to drop-in centres to submit their applications, because they like the reassurance of getting confirmation we have received it. However, farmers applying online tell us they find the process quicker and easier and they like it because they get an instant receipt from RPA.

“Because SPS Online checks for errors as you fill in the form, they can be corrected before the application is submitted. This means it is less likely RPA will have to contact you to correct details. Once you have submitted the application, you get an instant acknowledgement on the screen, followed by an email receipt.”

Farmers can also re-visit the service during the year to view their claim and entitlements statements and track the progress of their claims.

To ask any questions about using the service, call RPA’s Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.

If a farmer wanting to apply on paper hasn’t received an application pack by 5 April they should contact RPA.

The deadline for submitting SPS 2011 applications is 16 May 2011. 

The following Drop-in centres will run from 21 March.