RPA software thwarting Countryside Stewardship applications

As the August deadline for submitting applications for mid-tier Countryside Stewardship (CS) approaches, farm consultants are being thwarted by problems with the Rural Payment Agency’s (RPA) online service.

Reported issues include CS management options inexplicably not available, an inability to include land previously claimed on by another business, and the summary document not reflecting what has been applied for.

See also: Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship 2024 open for applications

“Farmers and landowners are keen to apply to CS to deliver environmental benefits, but are being hampered by the online application process,” said Kevin Jay, a director at farm business consultants CLM.

“Meanwhile the 18 August application deadline for new agreements beginning on 1 January 2024, is fast approaching.”

Concerns over application process

Mr Jay explained that his firm had been raising these concerns with the RPA since March, and had been frustrated that they did not seem to be taken seriously or even acknowledged.

However, more recent calls to the RPA’s agricultural transition team had been constructive, he added. “We now hope, for example, to see one of the specific issues we raised addressed by 17 July, which should free up a few of our applications that are currently stuck.”

Mr Jay warned that if farmers were unable to get onto the CS scheme, it could threaten the environmental work needed and jeopardise a vital source of revenue for farming businesses struggling with falling BPS payments and high input costs.

“Ultimately if the number of applications to CS is disappointingly low, then the government budget allocated for it will be left unspent and the Treasury will question why agriculture receives its current budget allowance,” he added.

Technical issues

“Fundamentally we can see what the RPA is aiming to achieve with the new system, and it is encouraging that we have already received one agreement offer for a simple application submitted in early June.

“However it’s frustrating for farmers to be forced to navigate another government IT system which is not fully functional and appears not to have been fully tested prior to launch.”

In response, the RPA said it was aware of some technical issues when applying for mid-tier CS and was working as quickly as possible to resolve them.

“We apologise for any inconvenience or concern,” said a spokesman. “We are putting support in place for those affected – including measures to ensure those who experience issues are not excluded from applying.”

The RPA also reminded applicants to ensure that their land information is up-to-date on its systems before they apply.