Rural Payments and Services

Here are the changes to the guidance on Rural Payments and Services since the last bulletin on 20 May, 2015. If you would like to see the list of all guidance updates click here.

27 May, 2015

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme - We've uploaded target maps for vulnerable priority species, updated some of the guidance around scrub control and the Wild Bird Seed for Farmland Birds option has been added to Table 1 on the Endorsements page.

The following issues should have been resolved because we made some improvements to the Rural Payments and Services system last week. If you experience any difficulties with any of these, please contact your local area office – or, for some of the improvements, please email us at rpid.communications@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

SAF improvements

SAF update to compatibilities – the system flagged errors when customers entered options which were actually compatible. This affected the Rural Priorities options with Ecological Focus Area field margin, land use Permanent Cover, and Rough Grazing.

SAF submission, greening calculation error – there was an error in the greening calculations for permanent grasslands which said a customer is exempt when this is not the case, and vice versa.

Less Favoured Area (LFA) classification incorrect on SAF application screen – customers were unable to submit their SAF with an LFA claim for their land parcel(s).

SAF showing land ineligible when it is not – for some features only a certain percentage was ineligible but the system showed the whole land parcel as ineligible.

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) eligible area not being calculated correctly – common grazings were showing that the whole area was BPS eligible and didn’t take into account any known exclusions

General improvements

Editing land areas or classification details – customers were not able to edit the land details or classification that the system held.

Error when logging in – some people were taken to an 'access denied' page when they tried to log in.

In addition we’re aware that some customers were receiving meaningless emails from the system – this should now be resolved.

27 May, 2015

Farm funding applications - Scotland’s Single Application Form (SAF) submission tally is set to reach the halfway point this week, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has revealed.

26 May, 2015

Rural development approval - Scotland’s new rural development programme has been formally approved by Europe.

Scottish Agricultural Wages Board - Views are being sought on the future of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.

22 May, 2015

Crofting Commission Update - Options for choosing a new Convener of the Crofting Commission have been discussed at a meeting between Environment Minister Aileen McLeod and the Commissioners in Inverness.

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