Farmers urged to start online payment applications

From today, (26 February) application forms for the 2013 single farm payment scheme will be visible on the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) website and the CLA in the Midlands suggests that farmers, who have not previously done so, consider completing their applications online this year.

CLA Midlands Rural Adviser Donna Tavernor said: “the RPA claim that over 95 percent of farmers who have used the online system would do so again and recommend it to others. Feedback from our members would support this claim. Providing you have adequate broadband, the system is straightforward, and allows corrections to be made, forms to be saved as you go and common errors are automatically flagged up. You can track the progress of your claim and see if there are any outstanding actions required.

“Once you have got to grips with the system, you will find it time saving and reassuring that your application is as accurate as possible.”

“You can commence the process from today, and I would suggest you make a start sooner rather than later.”

Farmers who have not previously registered will need a PIN number, which has been mailed to all who have not previously registered.