UTASS Briefing: 23rd November 2017.

RURAL LAND REGISTER.

A reminder on mapping checks: the onus is on the claimant to make an accurate BPS claim.From the last briefing:

“The RPA are required by the EU to use satellite imagery (remote sensing) to check the accuracy of the field information on the RLR. The RLR is used to validate BPS claims and HLS payments. We believe that recent “remote sensing” has resulted in RLR changes for 80% of our members. Some of these changes are too small to see but others involve redrawing boundaries and even splitting fields. Members who claim online through UTASS are encouraged to make an appointment to check that their land details are accurate. An RLE1 form will need to be submitted if corrections are needed otherwise the RPA will assume that their mapping information is correct. It is important that this is done before the end of the year or it will be more complicated and time-consuming when making a claim next spring for BPS 2018. Emma and Charlotte, undergoing training through the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries, will be helping with this work”.

BPS 2017 PAYMENT RATES.

We advised you of the exchange rate for 2017 BPS payments in the last briefing (1 euro = £0.89470.)Defra have now announced that the actual rates will be:

Non SDA: £230.97

SDA: £228.88

Moorland: £63.48

At the moment the RPA are cagey about exactly when claims will be paid. Paul Caldwell, the Chief Executive of the RPA, hopes to match last year’s performance.

SUCCESSION PLANNING.

Agriculture, perhaps because of the importance of the CAP, is facing huge changes as the UK prepares to leave the EU. The lack of definitive information is unhelpful and frustrating. To help our members do something positive as they prepare for the unknown, we have arranged for Charles Raine of Youngs to talk about Succession Planning and Richard Betton to give the latest news on the progress of Brexit talks. Those people who have heard Charles Raine talk on this subject before have found it very useful and thought provoking. This will take place at UTASS7.00pm Wednesday 6thof December and will be followed by a hot supper. Please phone UTASS to book a place.

UTASS CHRISTMAS CLOSURE.

The office will close at 5pm on Tuesday 19th December and reopen on Thursday 4th January 2018. Sheep movement notification forms posted through the door during this period will be faxed to ARAMS as usual.

CHANGE TO OUR OUT-OF-HOURS CONTACT NUMBER

Please note the number has changed to: 07919997619

For further advice and assistance please call UTASS 01833 641010.

Richard Betton.