In the last few days RPA have started sending out form SP5e to all those applicants to the Single Payment Scheme who applied to the National Reserve.
The National Reserve is established under the European regulations, in order to allow farmers in certain categories to enhance the value of the payment entitlements they applied for.
In there are eight categories (nine if one splits the agri-environment schemes), and these were listed in part M of the SPS application form (SP5a), and are:
investors
those who acquired a lease of more than six years between 1 Jan 03 and 15 May 04
the purchasers of leased land
participants in a nationally funded agri-environment scheme
participants in the ERDP Energy Crops Scheme
transfer of leased land
new entrant
dairy farmer (hardship)
dairy converters
When the original application form was sent out, despite the guidance stating that supporting evidence should be sent with the application, it was unclear what should be submitted. Accordingly some sent farmers sent the evidence and some, either by choice or on professional advice, did not.
It would appear that RPA have thought it appropriate to invite all those applying to the National Reserve to submit, or resubmit, evidence by 4 November 2005.
If you have not submitted any evidence at all you MUST submit as much as possible. The RPA will not make any award from the National Reserve without evidence. The only exception would appear to be dairy converters.
If you have already submitted evidence, you can choose to submit additional evidence or rely on what has already been submitted. In any event you should put a cross in the appropriate box in column B3 or B4.
If you cannot find the appropriate heading for evidence that you think might be appropriate, a copy should be submitted any rate and referred to in a covering letter.
If you have already submitted what you think is sufficient evidence, there does appear to be a facility for you to indicate that you have done enough. However you may feel that in order to ensure that you minimise the risk of RPA failing to tie up evidence submitted in May with an application to the National Reserve being considered now, further copies should be resubmitted now. In such circumstances you might again consider referring to such copies in a covering letter.
Even if you are relying on evidence already submitted you still need to complete and return the SP5e by 4 November 2005.
If you applied to the National Reserve and have not received a form SP5e, you should enquire of RPA’s Customer Service Centre as to what the position is.
You can use form SP5e to withdraw your application to the National Reserve. Before doing so, you must be sure that this is what you want to do.
Finally if you have any concerns on what you need to do, you should contact the RPA CSC or your professional advisers.
