Farm leaders and consultants are becoming increasingly anxious over the timings and deadline for trading 2007 Single Farm Payment entitlements. One of the main problems is that farmers and agents are not receiving pre-populated RLE1 forms from the RPA which may affect the purchasers ability to claim entitlements.
The 2nd April 2007 is the deadline for farmers to submit their RLE1 forms to enable the purchaser to claim by the 15th May 2007. Any RLE1 forms received after this date may not be processed and as a result jeopardises the purchasers ability to claim the 2007 entitlement.
Whilst the issue of delayed RLE1 forms is causing problems for both vendors and purchasers a much larger problem is soon to arise. An estimated 1900 farmers have received definitive entitlement statements containing the number of standard and set-aside entitlements which are in fact incorrect. The matter is multiplied by the fact the owners are unaware of the fault and may well transfer the entitlements on.
Current figures released by the RPA suggest an estimated 911 claimants are yet to receive a full payment and an additional 2,184 claimants are awaiting a top-up to previous partial payments.
Further details on this matter or any relating to difficulties in transferring entitlements are available on request from any Fisher German office or by emailing: henry.gurney@fishergerman.co.uk
