There are various schemes available to landowners and occupiers in return for managing land in accordance with Government Objectives. DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is the main overseer of these schemes in the UK. DEFRA administers a budget of around £3 billion to UK agriculture.
Single Payment Scheme (SPS)
The most widely known scheme is the Single Payment Scheme. The Single Payment Scheme was introduced in January 2005 and replaced 11 previous agricultural support subsidies. Support is paid for keeping land in a ‘Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition’ (GAEC). In order to claim Single Payment Scheme support the claimant must hold what is known as an 'Entitlement' to claim payment. Entitlements can no longer be established. However, they can be transferred between farmers.
There are various cross compliance requirements which must be complied with. Whilst the Single Payment Scheme remains a relatively new scheme, Kirkby and Diamond Chartered Surveyors have built up considerable experience in this area. Kirkby and Diamond surveyors complete the annual claim forms (SP5) for many farmers and landowners and can offer assistance and advice to those completing their own applications.
Kirkby and Diamond have acted on behalf of both sellers and purchasers in the transfer of Entitlements.
Rural Land Register
Land must be registered on the Rural Land Register if the Single Payment Scheme is to be applied for or an Environmental Stewardship Scheme entered into.
Land registered is often incorrectly mapped by DEFRA, which can have ramifications on grant and subsidy payments. Kirkby and Diamond’s surveyors have managed to ensure that many field alterations were made to the benefit of its clients. Land must be transferred into new owner or occupiers names when land is sold or let in order to allow the new farmer to claim subsidies.
For more information go to RLR & Mapping Update.