New to farming
Date published: 1 January, 2015
Table of Contents
If you’re new to farming or are running your own agricultural business for the first time, the world of payments and inspections can be daunting.
So here’s a quick run-down of what we do and what we need you to do.
What you need to do
Register your details with Rural Payments and Services online.
By providing the following details, you will receive a Business Reference Number (BRN) and be able to use Rural Payments and Services:
- name of business
- names of owners and co-owners
- nature of business
- location
- land boundaries
- land uses
Keeping your details updated is very important as out-of-date information could, in some cases, cost your business time and money.
You can make changes to your details online after registering.
You may be required to register with other public bodies and agencies. Please check the type of business you have or contact us to find out more.
You can also find out more at these websites:.
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (previously Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency)
- ScotEID – sheep and cattle identification
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Nature Scot
- Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS)
What we do
We are responsible for keeping a detailed register of all agricultural businesses and land in Scotland, regardless of whether or not you apply for funding from us.
This helps us manage funding from the Common Agricultural Policy and helps us implement laws and regulations around public, plant and animal health.
We may be required by law to pass on details of your business to other public bodies and agencies.
Funding
You can apply for funding from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) through us. Find out more about the CAP below.
Funding is available through a number of different schemes, each with the aim of supporting Scottish agriculture and rural life.
If you’re new to farming (or 40 years old or younger), there are specific schemes aimed at helping you. Find out more abou available funding below.
Inspections
Throughout the year we conduct inspections at farms and businesses. These can be announced or unannounced.
Inspections help safeguard the environment, the public, crop health and animal welfare, and make sure we meet our obligations for using European Commission money.
If you fail an inspection, we may withdraw and reclaim funding you have received from us. You can find out more about inspections below.
You can also find out what type of inspections you may face depending on funding you receive or the business you run using our inspections checker.
Stay in touch
If you are unsure about any of the above, there are plenty of ways to get in touch.
Download guidance
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