Rural Payments and Services

In the past, farmers and crofters in Scotland received a support payment for each hectare of land they owned or leased, which was based on historic receipts during a base period. The payment did not depend on the quality of the land or whether it was farmed or not.

The new system of payments is designed to be simpler and fairer. By 2019, farmers and crofters with similar quality land will all receive the same payment per hectare, but only if they carry out a minimum level of activity.

There are four routes to gaining entitlements:

• you received Single Farm Payments in 2013
• you undertook agricultural activity in 2013
• you are a new entrant or young farmer, or a business that faced exceptional circumstances or specific disadvantages
• you have purchased land with existing entitlement

Read more about entitlements

The number of entitlements you will receive under the new CAP is calculated in the same way as the previous Single Farm Payment Scheme – that is by turning the amount of eligible land you have into what we call ‘entitlements’.

Under the new CAP, all farming land in Scotland has been categorised into three regions. Based on land quality and usage, each region has a different value against it.

To receive ongoing support beyond 2015, you will need to match each entitlement you have been allocated with the equivalent eligible area in the relevant Payment Region, based on the land you have at your disposal on 15 May each year.

Because of the way entitlements were calculated in the past, the value of entitlements in 2015 will differ from business to business. Convergence is being introduced to make this fairer, with the aim of paying everyone the same entitlement value per Payment Region by 2019.

Before any payment is made, you’ll receive an illustration of entitlements letter. The letter will show you how many entitlements you may be allocated per Payment Region, the value of the entitlements for 2015 and the estimated projected entitlement values for 2016 to 2019.

Once processing is complete and payments have been made, you will receive a letter confirming the final value of 2015 entitlements with indicative values for the remaining years of the scheme.

Important dates for entitlements:

• December 2015 – we will start issuing illustration of entitlements letters
• March 2016 – we will send confirmation of entitlements letters

To help with any questions you have, we have set up a helpline.

Entitlements and Payments Information Helpline – 0300 300 2222

Staff will answer any questions about the letters we will be issuing over the next few months, general queries about new entitlements, and questions about payments for the 2015 scheme year (for the Basic Payment Scheme).

Lines are open from 8.30am to 5pm on Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am to 4.30pm on a Friday.