Two-thirds complete SFP applications online
More than 70,000 farmers in England completed their single farm payment applications online in 2014, according to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
Final figures for Single Payment Scheme (SPS) 2014, which closed on 9 June, showed 70,249 claimants applied digitally for their payments this year – up 27% from 55,381 in 2013.
It means more than two-thirds of the total estimated 105,000 claimants in England completed their forms online this year.
From 2015, a new farm payments scheme will require all farmers and land agents to submit their applications electronically.
Common agricultural policy (CAP) changes due to come into force next year include a new EU farm payments scheme, the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), and the introduction of a new online system CAP Information Service (Capis).
The RPA said it was pleased that so many farmers had moved to complete their payments online this year ahead of the introduction of the new online digital CAP system.
See also: More news on CAP reform
RPA customer services director Justin Chamberlain said: “This is a fantastic result which leaves thousands more farm businesses better prepared for the changes coming in 2015, including the new online service.
“In support of government ambitions to encourage digital take-up, we will continue to work closely with customers and stakeholders to further improve our online services.
“We will be helping people to understand how the new CAP will affect them, what they need to do and by when in order to move as smoothly as possible to the new schemes and IT service.”
Defra is developing CAP schemes to reflect the new requirements, including those relating to greening, the active farmer test, hill farmers and young farmers – and a new online service to help everyone who wants to apply for CAP funds to do so in a quick and simple way.
Defra, working with the RPA, Natural England and the Forestry Commission, is determined to implement the CAP in a way that is as “simple, affordable and effective” as possible.
At each step of the countdown, information will be made available to help people understand how the new CAP will affect them, and what they need to do, and by when, to move as smoothly as possible to the new schemes and online service.
Defra is keeping up-to-date information available through the Gov.UK website.